^ 



^ 



Library of Congress; 



^UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.^ J'g 

? 9-167 4.:^?^; 



•737 



'747 



DIARY 



OF 



Rev. Daniel Wadsworth 



SEVENTH PASTOR 



ITirst Cburcb of Cbriet in Ibartforb 



WITH NOTES 

By the Fourteenth Pastor 




Hartford, Conn. 

Press of The Case, Lock wood & Brainard Company 

1894 






58609 



PREFATORY NOTE. 



IN the exhumation and rearrangement of the possessions of the 
Connecticut Historical Society incident to the enlargement of 
the Wadsworth Atheneum in 1892 was brought to notice a Diary 
kept by Rev. Daniel Wadsworth during the larger part of his min- 
istry as seventh pastor of the First Church of Christ in Hartford. 
Mr. Wadsworth sustained this relationship from September 28, 
1732, to his death on November 12, 1747. His Diary, however, 
was only begun on the 5th of May, 1737 — nearly five years after 
his settlement — and it ends with his last feeble entry sometime in 
February, 1747, nine months before he died. 

The Diary is essentially a dry, prosaic, and commonplace one. 
The writer of It was all his life a valetudinarian, and apparently at 
no time a man of keenness of observation or pungency of expression. 
He was a timid, cautious, sincere-hearted pastor, distinctly evangelic 
in spirit and inspired by a conscientious if not strenuous desire to do a 
good part in his time. His time, however, was rather a dull one in his 
church's history save for two features, one of lesser and one of far 
larger concern. The matter of lesser importance was the building 
of a new church edifice, the second one in the church's history, to 
take the place of the old one erected by the first fathers on this 
soil. The other was the episode in religious affairs marked by the 
preachings of George Whitefield and his followers and known as 
the time of the "Great Awakening." In his relation to this pass- 
age of our New England story Mr. Wadsworth — and with him the 
great body of his church — took a conservative attitude. 

And for readers outside of Hartford associations it is doubtless 
this feature of the present Diary which will lend it most interest. 
The observations made by its writer upon this most memorable 
portion of the history of his time are indeed painfully lacking in 
the racy and picturesque qualities we might naturally look for; but 
they avail, nevertheless, to show clearly the perplexities and strug- 
gles of a class of devout and sincere Christian ministers, of whom 
Mr. Wadsworth was only one among many, who were not able to 
sympathize with the new measures introduced by the Great Awak- 



4 PREFATORY NOTE. 

ening, and respecting whom, for that reason, some of their contem- 
poraries and many of their posterity have formed a perhaps too 
severe judgment. These pages will at least show that if these 
more conservative men and churches did not do exactly what 
might have been wisest, they were conscientious in what they did, 
and in the way they thought best were earnest and faithful 
workers. 

The mortuary records in this Diary, though of a most meager 
quality, supply in some measure a real lack in the written annals 
of the time in which Mr. Wadsworth exercised his ministry in 
Hartford ; his official church-record, while minuting most church 
actions, taking no notice of the deaths of his parishioners or of 
others in the community. 

But, such as these annals are, it has seemed to the present 
writer best to rescue them from their century and a half of oblivion. 
Impelled primarily by a desire to illuminate as far as possible the 
history of that First Church of Christ in Hartford, toward which 
object he has hitherto made sundry endeavors, the editor of these 
Wadsworth memorials has lovingly studied out these tracings of 
the hand of a predecessor in the pastoral office, and endeavored to 
bring that predecessor and the events among which he moved to 
some degree of life again, so far as the very dusty materials at 
command would allow. 

To do this, however, it has not seemed necessary to print 
absolutely every daily entry in the Diary, nor in all cases 
every word of such entries as are made. It did not seem expedient 
to reproduce every instance of perpetually recurring phrases like 
the following: "This day in Studying, rainy weather," "This day 
visiting, nothing remarkable occurs," " Laboured under much in- 
disposition, little study," " Little done, pleasant weather," " O y' god 
might help me in my duty," "O y' my heart might be quickened 
by divine grace." Expressions of which these are examples, con- 
stituting the only entry for a day, occur very frequently, and often 
for several days together. Enough of them probably are retained 
to satisfy any reader of the following pages that some scores or 
perhaps hundreds of such expressions have been properly omitted 
altogether. 

A few transcribed passages from books Mr. Wadsworth was 
reading — passages not apparently illuminative either of his charac- 
ter or situation, but probably copied by him to fix them in his 
memory — have also been left unreproduced in this publication. 



PREFATORY NOTE. 5 

With these exceptions it has been the aim of this transcript to 
give the Diary just as Mr. Wadsworth left it; carefully preservingall 
references to events, places, and persons mentioned, and retaining 
the contractions, spellings, punctuations, and non-punctuations of 
the original autograph. 

As to the personal history of the author other than as it is in- 
dicated in his Diary it must suffice here to say : 

Rev. Daniel Wadsworth was born in Farmington, November 
14, 1704. He was great-grandson of William Wadsworth, an 
original settler in Hartford; a man prominent in all public affairs 
of the little commonwealth till his death in 1676. William's son 
John — a brother of the Joseph who hid the charter — settled in 
Farmington, and there John's son, John, and his grandson Daniel 
were born. 

Daniel was educated at Yale College, graduating in 1726, in the 
same class with Elnathan Whitman, son of his Farmington pastor, and 
destined to be his associate in the Hartford ministry as pastor of 
the Second Church. Young Wadsworth seems to have been em- 
ployed to some extent after his college course as a surveyor of 
land, memoranda indicative of this fact remaining in various forms 
among papers left by him. He was employed in 1730 on the survey 
of the contested boundary between Farmington and Wethersfield ; 
and in 1730 and 1731 he was one of the Deputies for Farmington 
in the General Assembly. 

He probably secured the chief part of his theological training 
— and if so doubtless in companionship with his college-class- 
mate and boyhood companion Elnathan Whitman — under the 
supervision of Rev. Samuel Whitman, the Farmington pastor. 
His ministry in Hartford began in some service of assistance 
occasioned by the failing health of his predecessor, the venerable 
Timothy Woodbridge, who died April 30, 1732, after a ministerial 
connection with the First Church of forty-eight years and eight 
months. His ordination to the pastorate took place September 
28, 1732. The procedure on the occasion he himself inscribed on 
the church record as follows: 

"The Rev? Mf Whitman [of Farmington] began with prayr and 
preached a Sermon from Matt. 24. 45., the Rev? Mf Edwards made 
a prayf and gave y* Charge, the Rev? Mr Colton gave the Right hand 
of fellowship." 

Mr. Wadsworth followed the establishment of his ecclesiastical 
relations by the formation of social ones, marrying, February 28, 



6 PREFATORY NOTE. 

1734, Abigail Talcott, daughter of Governor Joseph Talcott by the 
governor's second wife Eunice (Howell), widow of Rev. Jabez 
Wakeman. 

Mr. Wadsworth died November 12, 1747, lacking two days of 
forty-three years of age, having filled a pastoral term of fifteen 
years and two months. He left a widow and six children.' He 
was one of the trustees of Yale College from 1743 to his death, 
having apparently been elected in the place of Rev. Samuel Wood- 
bridge of East Hartford. The numbers admitted to fellowship 
with the church in his ministry, seventy-five to the Covenant and 
one hundred and three to Full Communion, do not appear to be 
large for the Great Awakening period, but the proportion of one 
to the other indicates a healthful condition of the church, and a 
sound view of things that made for its welfare in the pastor. 

Personally Mr. Wadsworth was very clearly a man of kind 
heart and strong pastoral and family affections. He was nervous 
and as he himself says "bashful." He seems to have been 
curiously afraid of accidents, lightning, and fires. Though appar- 
ently a dyspeptic and semi-hypochondriac he was after his method 
a laborious and industrious man. Several hundreds of his manu- 
script sermons, written fine and complete on little four-by-six 
folios of paper, remain in the possession of the Historical Society, 
attesting at once his constancy in this kind of activity and also his 
timidity in apparently on no occasion speaking without fully written 
notes. He was a man of considerable property, leaving an estate 
valued at above ^4,000. His library compared favorably with 
those of ministers about him in like situations, though very small 
measured by some nearly contemporary Boston pastors, and above 
all with those of Increase and Cotton Mather. 

He built a house on the site of the present Atheneum building 
founded by his grandson, the ground in the rear being his garden. 
His widow survived him nearly twenty-six years, dying June 24, 
1773, in her 67th year. 

Mr. Wadsworth sleeps beside those who occupied his pastoral 
office before him in the old Hartford burying-ground. 

GEORGE LEON WALKER. 
Hartford, 1894. 



» Abigail, b. January 28, 1735 ; Eunice, b. August 31, 1736, d. July 23, 1825 ; Elizabeth, b. 
June 19, 1738, d. November 15, 1810 ; Daniel, b. June 21, 1741, d. November 3, 1750; Jeremiah, b. 
July 12, 1743, d. April 30, 1784; Ruth, b. July i, 1746, d. December 27, 1750. 

Jeremiah married Mehitable Russell, and became father of Daniel, the founder of the 
Atheneum, and of Catherine and Hannah. With this Daniel, who died in 1848 without children, 
the name of Wadsworth in the direct male line from Rev. Daniel Wadsworth became extinct. 



A DIARY BEGAN MAY f\ 17^7. 



Some years agone I began and kept a Diary ' for some time 
but being unsettled in y* world and my business often calling me 
from home and out of Town and other difficulties occurring I at 
length dropt that, and then kept a weekly Journal till sometime 
after my settling in y* ministry, but I have now for sometime 
neglected that also, but being sensible of many Conveniencies y* 
may accrue from private memoirs or minutes &:" I now resume 
and purpose to continue a Diary. 

May 5. this day much indisposed for study or close application to 
any business. Entertained thots about projecting some 
scheme for y* reforming y* young people of my parish and en- 
deavouring to bring y" to a more serious concern about 
religion. I pray god to direct me in it. 

— 6. This day spent in Studying a Sermon. I find difficult satis- 

fying people discoursing about y' Spiritual state; y' want to 
know y^ shall be sure y' believe, y' y'' Love god, y' y' are in y* 
right way, are sincere and y" like, its difficult bringing y" 
rationally to think or speak of these matters 

— 7. This day under much perplexity as to w' subject I should 

prepare a Sermon upon w" is many times y* case with me, but 
y° I would remember those words go I will i)e with thy 
mouth &^ 

— 8. Lords day. this day I preached A:M. from psal. 78. 34-37. 

P.m. from i. Joh. 3. 8. a very warm day. baptized 3 children, 
2 persons made publick confession of scandal, & owned y* cov- 
enant, god grant y' y^ may bring forth fruit meet for 
repentance 

— 9. this day not very profitably spent, so y' I may almost say, 

diem perdidi. Some attempts at making a sermon, made little 
progress 



* A fragment or perhaps the whole of the diary to which Mr. Wadsworth here refers, extend- 
ing from Nov. 15, 1728, to April 23, 1729, remains. He was at this time pursuing his theological 
studies at his home in Farmington. and so far advanced as once at least, January 12th, to preach 
for Mr. Whitman. He was not, however, apparently accounted a clerical person, as the last few 
entries of the diary relate to his service on a jury at Hartford ; an occupation which he characterizes 
as " unprofitable employment." 



8 wadsworth's diary [1737 

— 10. this day spent not y' most profitably warm, pleasant 

growing weather, nature revives, may grace do so likewise, as 
the face of the earth is renewed, so may y' face of y' nioral 
world. 

— II. this day in composing a sermon studying nothing re- 

markable. 

— 12. This day General election in this Colony Governour, 

Deputy Governour and other officers ' all chosen as in y* year 
past, viz the same persons. M"' Colton "" preached y* Election 
Sermon, from Joshua 24. 20 

— 13. This day in reading, conversation and impertinence 

— 14. this day as y* former — 

— 15. Lords day M'. Burr' preached for me in y' forenoon from 
Joh. 17. 17. and M'. Hosmore " in y* afternoon from Sam. 4. 3. 4, 

a very warm day 

— 18. This day took a Journey to Farmington and returned. Very 

warm, windy &^ 

— 19. this day spent in reading. Conversation &"=. No great 

profit, a refreshing rain in y* evening. 

— 20. Spent in perplexing thots. dies sine linea 

— 21. a plentifull, seasonable and refreshing rain this morning 

and y* night preceeding this day spent in composing a 

sermon 

— 22. Lords day I preached A. M. from i Sam. 2. 30 and P. M. 

from heb. 2. 6. 

— 23. fair pleasant weather, get good habits day spent with 

little reading, to little purpose 

— 26. in studying, a rainy day Mf Hall' of Sutton here. 

— 27, Studying a sermon, a rainy day, perplexing thoughts. 

• The officers this year were Joseph Talcott, Governor, Jonathan Law, Deputy-Governor, 
while the Assistants were Samuel Eells, Roger Walcott, James Wadsworth, Nathaniel Stanley, 
Joseph Whiting, Ozias Pitkin, Timothy Pierce, John Burr, Samuel Lynde, Edward Lewiss, Wil- 
liam Pitkin, and Roger Newton. 

' Rev. Benjamin Colton born in Longmeadow, Mass., probably in 1690; grad. Y. C. 1710; 
ordained pastor of the Fourth Church of Christ in Hartford (now West Hartford) Feb. 24, 1713-14 ; 
died March i, 1759, aged about 69 years. His sermon on this election occasion was on " The Dan- 
ger of Apostacie" and was published at New London, 1738. It would be inexcusable in the present 
editor of these Wadsworth memorials not to acknowledge his great indebtedness for facts concern- 
ing Mr. Wadsworth's ministrial cotemporaries to Professor F. B. Dexter's Biographical Sketches 
0/ the Graduates 0/ Yale College, a book of quite indispensable importance in all similar enquiries. 

' Rev. Isaac Burr, born in Hartford July 4, 1697, grad. Y. C. 1717, ordained at Worcester, 
Mass., Oct. 13, 1725; returned to Connecticut in 1745, preached at Northwest Society in Simsbury 
(now Granby) awhile, and died at Windsor in 1751. 

< Rev. Stephen Hosmer, son of Dea. Stephen Hosmer of Hartford Second church ; baptized 
Aug. I, 1679; grad. H. C. 1699, pastor of the church in East Haddam, Conn., from 1704 till his 
death in 1749. 

» Rev. David Hall, grad. H. C. 1724. Died at Sutton, Mass., May 8, 1789, aged 84, in the 
sixtieth year of his ministry. 



1737] WAnswoRTn's diary 9 

— 29. Lords day in y* forenoon I preached for Mf Whitman ' at y" 

New Chh.' from rev. 3. i. and P. M. in my own pulpit from 
I Joh. 3. I. warm weather 

— 30. This morning died John Pratt Junf very suddenly, being 

seized y* morning before with an headache giddiness &.". 
warm day 

— 31. This day y' general assembly adjourned without day. John 

Pratt buried 
June. 
June I. This day in reading &f a thunder storm in the afternoon, 
this day died Elijah Andrews 

— 2. fair and cooler, this day Elijah Andrews was buried. 

— 5. Lords day I preached A. M. from rom. 8. 28 P. M. t Joh. 

2: 17 — under considerable difficulty and indisposition. 

— 6. Warm weather, y* querulous humour of some is unaccounta- 

ble, O y* times, y* times, y* badness of y* times, is y* burden of 
y' song, and even of such as are not very remarkable for y' 
good deeds neither 

— 7. this day travelled to Kensington from thence to Farming- 

ton, Association held at Farmington this day 

— 8. This day a lecture held at Farmington Mf Marsh' 

preached from psal. 139. 17. considerable rain this day, re- 
turned Home in safety thro' gods goodness. 

— 12. Lords day. I am going to y' Sacrament of y* Lords supper. 

w* are my preparations for it am I anything grown in grace 
since y* Last Sacrament, am I more holy, heavenly minded &." 

— 15. This day in reading &!= a hard thunder Storm in y* after- 

noon, y' lightning struck Thomas Burrs house. 

— 17. this day in studying a Sermon, saw my uncle Thom?^ 

— 19. Lords day I preacht from Deut. 32. 46. 47, per totum diem. — 

— 21. This day I went to Middletown to y* general association. 

— 20. This day died y* widow (Mary if I mistake not) Sandford, 

in y* 83 year of her age, and Nathaniel Potwin an Infant the 
son of Mf John Potwin. 



' Rev. Elnathan Whitman, constantly hereafter referred to in the pages of this diary, was born 
at Farmington Jan. 12, 1709. He grad. Y. C. 1726, in tlie same class with Mr. Wadsworth, and 
was ordained pastor of the Second Church in Hartford, Nov. 29, 1732, two months after Mr. Wads- 
worth's ordination. He sui'vived both Mr. Wadsworth, and Mr. Wadsworth's successor, Rev. Ed- 
ward Dorr, and died March 4, 1777, in his 69th year. 

* Although the Second Church of Hartford had now been in'existence for sixty-«even years and 
its house of worship for about the same length of time, it seems to have been popularly known as 
the " New Church," the " New Meeting," as various entries in this diary will plainly indicate. 

' Rev. Jonathan Marsh of Windsor, grad. H. C. 1705, minister at Windsor from 1709 till his 
death Sept. 8, 1747; trustee V. C. from 1732 to 1745. He preached the Election Sermon in 1721, 
and again in 1736. * Born Jan. 6, 1679. Died 1771. 

2 



lO 



wadsworth's diary [1737 



— 22, This day a lecture preacht at Middletown by y* Rev? M' 

Fisk' of Haddam 

— 26. Lords day I preached per totum diem from i cor. 15. 34, 

under much indisposition 

— 28. This day reading Fullers chh History, Visiting &? this day 

Doct' Morrison " set out for Boston in order to go to great 
Brittain 

July begins. 
July 3. This day I preached A. M. at y* New church from Hos. 
2. 8. 9. and P. M. at my own from Heb. 12. 25. a thunder storm 
and great rain in y* time of y' afternoon exercise, two persons 
this day owned y* Covenant. 

— 4. This day catechised children, went to Farmington &f 

— 10. Lords day I preached A. M. from heb. 13. 16. and P. M. 

from heb. 12. 25. Warm day East side people here at 
meeting. 

— 12. . . . reading fuller &f parish churches in England nine 

thousand, two hundred & eighty four, fuller, pag. 137. Lib. 
II. . . . 

— 17. Lords day I preached p' Totum diem from rev. 2. 21. 

22. . . . 

— 19. reading fuller . . . books to be purchased as soon as 

may be. M'. Wadsworths ' explanation of y' assem^. cate- 
chism, his Treatise on conscience, his guide to y' doubting 

— 21. This day reading Fuller &''. , . . a thunder storm very 

hard thunder I thank god y' he saved me and my family 
and dwelling from harm by it. 

— 23. This day in Studying &". warm moist weather, — at night 

heard y' the Eastern Indians are come into hadley have sent 
to Mohegin to demand y* surrender of y* Indians that were 
Concerned in y' murder of two of y' Indians in y* Last year; 
this a great part of it a mistake, y* story not told \leaf ton{\. 



' Rev. Phineas Fiske, born at Milford, Mass., Dec. 2, 1682, grad. Y. C. 1704, ordained at 
Haddam Jan., 1714, died October 17, 1738. 

* Dr. Norman Morrison, a native of Scotland, educated at Edinburgh, came to this country 
about 1733 or 34- A man of character and ability. He "owned the Covenant " at the First 
Church in Hartford, January 18, 1736. His house (Dr. Gurdon W. Russell says in his 
Early Medicine and Early Medical Men in Connecticut) used to stand on the site of the present 
Cheney Ruildinj;, and now (1894) stands on Trumbull Street, and is the wooden building just north 
of the Charter Oak Bank. The Doctor's body was buried in his garden, and lies under a slab 
bearing a eulogistic inscription, surrounded by an iron fence, back of St. Paul's Church on Market 
Street. " He died much loved and lamented the g''' of April 1761, in the 55* year of his age." 

* Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, b. at Milton, Mass., 1669, grad. H. C. 1690; ordained minister 
of the First Church in Boston, Sept. 8, 1696; elected president of Harvard College in June, 1725; 
died in office March 16, 1737. 



1737] wadsworth's diary ii 

— 24. Lords day I preached A.M. from Matt. 5. 25. 26. at y* New 

church and P.M. at my own from luk. 18. i. I am not without 
discouragements 

— 25. This day to little profit, a poor account it seems as if I had 

to give of it, yet when I consider cant charge myself with 
criminal idleness in it 

— 26. This day went to Newington to y* arbitration between 

Wethersfield and Farmington 

— 27. This day spent there upon y* same business. Very uncom- 

fortable & disagreeable to be concerned and perple.xt in such 
business 

— 28. This day spent partly in y' same business came Home 

from thence. M'. J. EUery and M". Mary Austin this day married 

— 30. . . . this day died y* daughter of Samuel Howard. 

— 31. Lords day I preached A.M. from Joh. 8. 47 and P.M. from 

luk. 18. I. — forenoon more strength and easier delivery than 
at sometimes, afternoon faint and weak. This was y* Last 
time I preached in y* old meeting house ' 
August begins 
Aug I. This day went to Farmington. My friends well &^ re- 
turned from thence, this day was Interred y' daughter of 
Samuel Howard. 

— 2. This day partly in Study &'. rainy weather This day y' 

people began to pull down y* old meeting house, took down y* 
pulpit, seats and bell, and carried y' pulpit into the State 
house 

— 3. . . . our people proceeded in taking down y* old meeting 

house. 

— 4. . . . y* people made further progress in pulling down y* 

old meeting house. 

— 5. . . . this day our old meeting house was pulled down and 

Laied level with y* ground 

— 7. Lords day. I preached from Joh. 4. 23: this was y' first 

day of our meeting in y* State House for publick worship 

— 8. This day y* foundation of our new=meeting House was Laied 

at y* Lower Corner of y* burying yard" 



> The old meeting house stood somewhere near the southeasterly side of Meeting-house Yard, 
or what is now called State House Square. 

* The question of the location and building of a new meeting house had been now for several 
years the topic of active and sometimes acrimonious controversy in Mr. Wadsworth's Society. 
Mrs. Abigail Woodbridge, widow of the deceased pastor Timothy Woodbridge, had tendered suc- 
cessively two lots of ground for the purpose, on the east side of what is now Main Street, not far 
apart and not far from where St. John's Church now stands. Both these lots were successively 
accepted by the Society and successively declined ; the latter under such circumstances of apparent 



12 



wadsworth's diary [1737 



— 9. The workmen proceeded in y* foundation work of y* meet- 

ing house. 

— 10. much disordered in body this day, little done, studying 

something — the workmen proceeded in y* foundation work of 
the meeting House 

— II. This day went to Farmington, my friends well, finished y* 

bargain with Samuel Peck. 

— 12. . . . Very much indisposed, under bodily pain &"' y^ 

mason goes on in Laying y* foundation of y* Meeting house 

— 14. Lords day I preached from i Cor. 9. 24. per totum diem. 

— 19. This day in Studying, took a resolution to read daily a 

chapter at least in my study, as well as in my family, not that 
I have neglected it till now, but not bin so constant in it as I 
design to be for time to come. . . . 

— 21. Lords day I preached per Totum from i pet. 4. 7. . , . 

in the evening of this day about midnight died Goody Wicar a 
crazed woman in the work house 

— 22. This day I went to Farmington, Saw my friends well, this 

day Goody Wicar was buried, and at evening about nine of y* 
clock died [blank] Adams a Lame man in y* work house. 

— 23. This day was buried [blank] Adams who died yesterday 

— 28. Lords day I preached A.M. from thes. 2. 12 and P.M. from 

Exod. 23. 2. This day John Pratt was taken into y* church 
and Abigail y* daughter of Thomas Hopkins Baptized 

— 29. N. B. my Sermons from my first preaching in y* State 

House are numbered beginning then. This day y' mason 
finished the foundation of our New^Meeting house 

— 30. upon y* weather Cock that was taken off of our old meet- 

ing House was this Date. 1638. Whence I suppose our old 
meeting House stood ninety nine years, it being pulled down 
in y* year 1737 as I have before entered.' . . . 

— 31. This day my daughter Eunice is one year old. This day 

spent partly in reading, partly in visiting, but too much in 
idleness. 



discourtesy to the generous donor that she withdrew some time from worship with the First Church 
and went to the Second. The unpleasantness was, however, smoothed over by an apologetic vote 
by the Society, and Mrs. Woodbridge returned. The lot finally fixed upon was a compromise 
between those who desired to accept Mrs. Woodbridge's offer, and those who did not want to go 
much further south than what is now the corner of Central Row and Main Street. It is substan- 
tially the ground now occupied by the First Church. 

> Probably the date 1638 indicates the date of the reaching of that stage on the " old meeting 
house" implied in the setting up of this vane, for there are indications that it was not finished be- 
fore 1640 ; the congregation meantime occupying, as they had for sometime before, a designedly 
temporary structure, which was afterward given to Pastor Hooker for a bam. 



1737] wadsworth's diary 13 

September 
Sept. I. . . . in y* afternoon I went to M'. Coltons Lecture 
M'. Colton preached from 2. Chron. 34. 3 his doct. y' early piety 
is a great and desirable Excellency 

— 3. . . . not a little perplexed with one supposing himself 

wronged by y* testimony of another & seeking satisfaction. 

— 4. Lords day I preached A.M. from psal. 104. 34 and P.AL at y' 

New church from i. Joh. 3. 8. . . . 

— 6. . . . went to Weathersfield. bought 6000 2^ nails for M'. 

Whitman. Sup'. Court began 

— 7. . . . The Superior court sat this day. M'. White' Here. 

— 8. under reflections and reproaches of enemies I would think 

upon and be quieted by those words, i. pet. 2. 15. for so is 
y* will of god, y' with well doing y^ may put to silence y'' 
ignorance of foolish men. 

— II. Lords day M'. Bostwick " preached for me in y* forenoon 

from luk. 16. 31. and P.M. I preached from gen. 39. 9. very 
warm weather. 

— 13. This day our people began to raise our new-meeting House. 

Something rainy in the afternoon, a good beginning makes a 
good end 

— 14. This day y* people proceeded in raising y* meeting house. 

cloudy weather 

— 15. This day rainy in y'' forenoon, in the afternoon y people 

proceeded in raising y* meeting House. .... 

— 16. [Similar entry] 

— 17. [Similar entry] 

— 18. Lords day M"' Rockwell' preached for me A.M. from i 

King. 12. 26. 27. 28. in the afternoon I preached from heb. 4. 
II. warm day. y" Gov. not well. 

— 19. [Like the 16*] 

— 20. [Ibid.] 

— 21. This day I received a present of 20'- from M"" Palmer,* may 

he and every other of my benefactors be bountifully rewarded 
in spiritual gifts. This day our people proceeded in raising y* 
meeting House. 



> Rev. Thomas White of Bolton, born at }Iatfield, Mass., July lo, 1701 ; V. C. 1720; ordained 
at Bolton, Oct. 26, 1725 ; died in his pastorate there Feb. 22, 1763. 

» Rev. Ephraim Bostwick, Y. C. 1729, ordained at Greenwich Oct. 8, 1735 ; dismissed 1745; 
removed to Stamford where he died in February or March, 1755. 

s Matthew Rockwell, b. at East Windsor Jan. 30, 1707-8 ; Y. C. 1728 ; studied theology and 
medicine ; employed by churches as an occasional preacher, but gave himself principally to medi- 
cal practice. He died in East Windsor March 28, 1782. 

* Mr. Cotton Palmer of Warwick, R. I., the builder of the new meetinghouse. 



14 



wadsworth's diary [1737 



— 22. This day cool weather. This day our people finished y* 

raising our New meeting House, without harm to any one. 
Thanks be to god that hath preserved them. 

— 25. Lords day I preached per totum diem from 2 Cor. 6. 2. 

Sick persons prayed for y' Govern^, Jerush. Talcot. 

Hannah y* daughter of Henry Nicholson baptized. 

— 27. This day went to Farmington Saw my friends well. 

Doct'. McLean ' a son born this night 

— 28. . . . the Gov. & his daughter sick hopefully some- 

thing better, this day five year since my ordination. 

— 29. M'. Bolton (as quoted by M^ Baxter Vol. i. pag. 194) was 

wont to say y' innocency and independency do steel y* face 
and help a minister to be bold and faithfull. 

— 30. This day in Study, nothing remarkable. 

October. 
Oct. I. This day in Study &"=. nothing remarkable. 

— 2. Lords day I preached from Joh. 3. 3. per totum diem, this 

day Allan the Son of M^ Niel McLean was baptized 

— 3. This day pleasant weather, visited y* Lame and wounded man 

— 4. This day y^ Association met at M'. Woodbridges^ East Side, 

nothing very remarkable happened. 

— 5. This day a lecture M'. Whitman' of Farmington preached 

from prov. 19. 8 — he y* getteth wisdom Loveth his own soul, 
associations appointed, y*^ first Tuesday in June next at M'. 
Whites at Bolton, M'. Steel ' to preach the next the Second 
Tuesday of October at M". Edwardss ' at Windsor, M'. Colton 
to preach 



1 Doctor Niel McLean was born in Scotland. He came first to Wethersfield and then re- 
moved to Hartford where he was awhile associated in practice with Dr. Morrison. His wife 
(Hannah Caldwell) was received to full communion in the First Church Jan. 26, 1735, and died 
April 22, 1755. 

" Rev. Samuel Woodbridge of East Hartford; grad. H. C. 1701 ; ordained in East Hartford 
March 30, 1705 ; Fellow of Y. C. from 1732 to 1743 ; died June 9, 1746. Mr. Woodbridge was now 
in ill health and Mr. Wadsworth's frequently recorded visits to him, made at a time when the cross- 
ing of the Great River was a more serious business than we now regard it, are interestingly indica- 
tive of his kindness of heart. 

3 Rev. Samuel Whitman of Farmington (father of Rev. Elnathan Whitman of Hartford) born 
at Hull, Mass., grad. H. C. 1696; ordained at Farmington, Dec. 10, 1706 ; a Fellow of Y. C. from 
1724 to 1746 ; died in August, 1751. An " Old Light" in his views. 

* Rev. Stephen Steel of Tolland, born in Hartford 1696 or 7; grad. Y. C. 1718; began to preach 
in Tolland early in 1719, but the church was not then organized, and his ordination did not take 
place till the latter part of 1723. He resigned his pastorate Dec. 21, 1758, and died Dec. 4, 1759. 
He preached the Election Sermon May 12, 1743, and the usual official request was made for its 
publication, but there is no evidence that it was ever printed. Inclined to the " New Light " side 
in the current controversies. 

6 Rev. Timothy Edwards of East Windsor, son of Richard Edwards of Hartford and father 
of Rev. Jonathan Edwards of Northampton. Mr. Edwards was born in Hartford, May 14, 1669 ; 
grad. H. C. 1691, receiving his degrees of A.B. and A.M. the same day on account of his eminent 



1737] wadsworth's diary 15 

— 9. Lords day I preached A.M. at y' new church from Exod. 23. 

2. & P.M. at my own meeting from rev. 3. 16. pleasant weather 

— 10. This day in secular business, providing for my family &". 

— II. This day partly in visiting partly in assisting y' Govern', in 

some particular business 

— 12. . . . this day Ann Bunce y' daughter of John Bunce 

was drowned in y" great River. Coming up from W'eathersfield 
in a boat y* boat sunk ag' the South meadow, a barn burnt 
down with y'' Lightening this night at Windsor. 

— 15. . . . this day was found and Literred y* body of Ann 

Bunce y' was drowned y* 12. Instant 

— 16. Lords day I preached A.M. from Job 31. 14. «S: P.m. from 

rev. 3. 16. comfortable weather. 

— 17. . . . find in y* Magazine' for June last y' Sir William 

Lee is appointed chief Justice of y* Kings Bench. 

— 18. . . . necessary that a preacher have some constant 

design and y' his sermons be calculated all to promote y*, and 
y' his preaching be not calculated merely for his ease or to 
avoid offence 

— 21. . . . yesterday I rec** a letter from y" chh in Stafford 

desiring y^ pastor and a messenger from this chh. to sit in 
Councel upon the 4"' Tuesday of Instant October at Stafford.^ 

— 23. Lords day I preached p'. totum diem from psal. 73. 26. 

the Govern', so far recovered of his illness y' he was this day 
at meeting. 

— 24. This day Training Daniel Goodwin chosen Ensign of y* 

first Company, a day not very profitably spent by me 

— 25. This day Training in this Town . . . publick diversions 

often occasion much sin, I wish it may not be y* case with this. 

— 27. . , . Sent a letter p'. James Bunce to my uncle James' 

at New Haven. 



proficiency; married Esther, daughter of Rev. Solomon Stoddard of Northampton, Nov. 6, 1694; 
began almost at once to preach to the new Society set off at East Windsor, but apparently not ordained 
as pastor till 1698 ; an eminently inlluential man, but a good deal involved in Church difficulties in his 
own parish ; preacherof the Election Sermon in 1732, in which he paid an extended tribute to his long 
tmie friend Rev. Timothy Woodbridge of the First Church of Hartford, who had died eleven days 
before. Mr. Edwards died Jan. 27, 1758, at eighty-nine years of age. 

1 "The Gentleman's Magazine," the publication of which began in 1731 ; the reference of 
Mr. Wadsworth is to be found in Vol. vii, p. 371. Johnson and other eminent writers of the 
eighteenth century contributed to the Gentleman's Magazine, the publication of which still con- 
tinues, though now mainly as the vehicle of historical and antiquarian information. 

' Stafford's difficulties will be noticed further on. 

' James Wadsworth, born at Farmington, July 6, 1677, Deputy, Assistant, Commissioner on 
Rhode Island boundary, etc., died 1756. 



i6 wadsworth's diary [1737 

November begins 
November i. This day came from Farmington, the County Court 
sat here. 

— 2. The news letter' from 20 to 27 of October Informs that 

Edmund Quincy Esq . is appointed agent for y' Massachusetts 
province at y* Court of Great Britain. 

— 3. . . . Doct^ Morison returned from England. 

— 4. this day saw y* commission to y* Governo' of New York 

and his Counsel, Govern', of Rhoad Island and his assistants 
to Inquire into y* Mohegin affair'' &°. it came last night by 
Doct'. Morison, who arrived last friday in Capt. Casy from 
Lond° 

— 6. Lords day I preached A.M. from Matt. 5. 12. & P.M. from 

Act. 2. 37. . . . 

— 10. This day a publick thanksgiving throughout Connecticut 

Colony I preached from Deut 8. 10 

— 13. Lords day I preached A.M. from psal. 112. 7. P.M. from 

prov. I. 10. baptized Joseph y* son of M'. Joseph Talcot Jr. 
and Sarah y* daughter of Samuel Marshall 

— 15. This day went to Windsor 3** Society to a Councel. Y" 

Council convened and chose M^ Tim°. Edwards Moderator 
M'. Ben. Colton Scribe, heard much talk but to little purpose 

— 16. This day y* Councel at Windsor after much pains with 

people and M . Woodbridge to bring y" to an accomodation, 
voted to dismiss M'. Woodbridge.^ . . . 

— 20. Lords day preached A.M. from Joh. 8. 28. P.M. from rom. 

3. 17. • this day administred y^ Sacrament 

— 21. This day about nine of y* clock at night died John Dod of 

y" Cholick. 

— 22. This day was buried John Dod 



- "The Boston News Letter;" the publication of wiiich weelvly journal began in 1704; its 
first number being " From Monday April 17, to Monday April 24, 1704." 

2 This was part of a long and involved controversy, reaching over seventy years, in which the 
claim of the Mohegan Indians to an extensive tract of territory comprising the larger portions of 
the townships of Colchester, Windham, Mansfield, Hebron and some other towns, were urged by 
themselves and by the descendants of John Mason, to whose ancestor it was alleged by the Masons 
tliat the lands had been conveyed in trusteeship in the Indians' behalf. The suit was prosecuted in 
successive trials here and in England but was ultimately determined (as Indian claims generally 
are) adversely to the Indians and in behalf of the Colony. In the process of the struggle, how- 
ever, there was set out a tract of between four and five thousand acres which was to be secured in 
perpetuity to the Mohegans. 

' Rev. John Woodbridge of "Windsor of 3d Society" (now Poquonock) was born in West 
Springfield, Mass., December 25, 1702 ; he grad. Y. C. 1726 in the same class with Mr. Wadsworth; 
was ordained at Poquonock probably in 1728 ; dismissed as above ; removed to Suffield ; installed at 
South Hadley, Mass., April 21, 1742 ; continued there till his death Sept. 10, 1783. 



1737] wadsworth's diary 17 

— 23. This clay M'. (Norton ' y' Baptist minister was at my house. 

Wee had a debate upon y* Controversy about baptism, many 
people were present ; w' Influence and effect it may have I 
know not. I hope and trust in god y' my people will be pre- 
served from the Infection of error. 

— 27. Lords day I preached per totum from Matt. 28. 19. four 

children baptized this day 

— 29. This day y* Councel met about the Mohegin affairs 

December. 
December 4. Lords day I preached per totum from Matt. 28. 19. 
moderate weather. 

— 7. . . . about three quarters of an hour after eleven at 

night was (as I'm told) a Considerable earthquake, but being 
in bed and asleep I heard it not. 

— II. Lords day M'. Woodbridge " of Sufifield preached for me 

A.M. from Jer. 17. 17. and P.M. from gal. 6. 4. 

— 14 This day ... a Journey to Weathersfield to view a 

negro boy ^ 

— 15. . . . this night about twelve oclock Nathaniel y* Son of 

Capt. Nathaniel Hooker* was born and y* wife of Capt. Caleb 
Williamson died this night 

— 17. This day was Interred [blank] y^ wife of Capt. Caleb 

Williamson. . . . 

— 18. Lords day I preached pr. totum diem from 2 cor. 5. 11. — 

this day M". Jerusha Talcot was admitted to Communion with 
y' Church. 

— 19. . . . delivered y'' Contribution money for Elias Easton 

to John Easton his brother 

— 20. . . . rec^. 5 bushel Indian Corn & 2 bushel of wheat 

from Uncle Thomas by Josiah North. Sister Ruth here 

— 25. Lords day I preached from Jer: 6. 8. per totum diem. 

Dorcas Dod and Hannah Catlin propounded to be admitted 

> Elder Stephen Ciorton, b. in Rhode Island March 21, 1703-4; ordained in New London 
March 28, 1726 ; an illiterate and unscrupulous man ; fell into disrepute ; turmoiled and broke up 
his church in New London about 1774 ; preached awhile afterwards in Southington, but died there 
in disestecm and obscurity. 

- See note to Nov. 16. 

3 Apparently Mr. Wadsworth did not buy the lad. Tlie inventory of his estate mentions 
only one piece of this kind oi persotial property, " an old Nejjro woman nam*. Rose," valued at 40 
pounds. 

* Capt. Nathaniel Hooker, grandson of Rev. Samuel Hooker of Farmington, and great 
grandson of Rev. Thomas Hooker, was born Oct. 5, 1710; grad. V. C. 1729. He married Eunice, 
daughter of Clovernor Talcott, and was consequently Mr. Wadsworth's brother-in-law. He lived 
almost directly opposite from Mr. Wadsworth, on land his mother, Mary, had inherited from her 
father, Nathaniel Stanley. Capt. Hooker died in Hartford Jan. 24, 1763, in his 53d year. 

3 



1 8 wadsworth's diary [1738 

into y* chh. and Rachel Goodwin, Sarah Spencer & Mar}- 
Farnsworth to own y* Covenant 

— 27. This night Eben'. Welles was found dead between Town 

and y'west division, died of an appo. fit. 

January A. D. 1737/8. 
Jany. i. Lords day I preached pr totum diem from psal. 90. 12. 
. . this day baptized Elizabeth y' daughter of AP. Ben. 
Swett and Margaret y*^ daughter of Ind. Wobbin ' 

— 5. This day partly in study, partly in conversing with persons 

desiring spiritual direction and advice 

— 8. Lords day I preached A.M. at y' N chh. from Acts 2. 37 

and p.m. at my own from heb. 13. 9. Laboured under great 
indisposition and difficulty in Speaking, very much overcome 
with a bashfull fear. O y' god would strengthen me ag' it, 
and help me in a better manner to discharge my duty. 

— 12. . . . at night James Nichols and Mary Wadsworth were 

married 

— 13. . . . This day died Thomas Ensign Sen' in y^ 70"* year 

of his age 

— 14. . . . Thomas Ensign Interred. 

— 15. Lords day I preached A.M. from heb. 13. 9. and P.m. from 

psal. 16. 8. 

— 16. What shall I do to encite my flock to a more serious and 

hearty concern for y'^ wellfare of y' Souls 

— 17. This day in study. M' Wards " advice concerning young 

people (Ward of Haverill) was, w*ever you do be sure to main- 
tain shame in y""; for if y' become gone there is no hope y' 
they'll ever come to good. — Doct'. Preston ^ was wont to say, 
y* w" wee wo'ld have any great thing to be accomplished, y*" 

1 ApparenUy the engagement had been fulfilled made by Rev. Timothy Woodbridge (Mr. 
Wadsworth's predecessor in the pastorate) entered on the Church record Aug. lo, 1711, when he 
baptized " John Waubin my Indian servant. I publickly engaged that I would take care that he 
should be brought up in the Christian Religion." As nearly twenty-one years later Mr. Wood- 
bridge, in his will dated April i, 1732, bequeathed " the Improvement of John Waubin during the 
Time he is bound to serve me," Waubin must have been a very small Indian at his baptism, or 
the indentures must have been in some way renewed. Anyway it is satisfactory to know that ser- 
vice had not prevented the fulfilling of Mr. Woodbridge's promise, and that Waubin wanted his 
child baptized into the church of which his master had been the minister. 

* Rev. Nathaniel Ward born at Haverhill in England between 1578 and 1580; educated at 
Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he took his degree A.M. in 1603 ; rector of Standon Massey 
in Essex; came to New England in 1634; pastor some years at Ipswich, Mass.; returned to 
England late in 1646 ; became minister at Shenfield near his first charge, where he died, probably 
about 1653. He wrote several books, the most famous of which — " The Simple Cobler of 
Aggawam " — was published in 1647. 

3 Rev. John Preston, 1587-1628, a "celebrated Puritan divine. Master of Emmanuel College, 
Cambridge. The quotation is from Mather in his account of Rev. John Eliot, Magnalia^ Book III. 



173^1 WADSWORTH'S DIARY 



19 



best policy is to work I)y an engine which y' world sees noth- 
ing of. Mag".pag. 175. nil remarkable 

— 18. Went to y* west division to examine M' Coltons Son' in 

order to preached [.SVVJ he was licensed to preach occasionally 
as a candidate for y'' ministry. . . . Difficult to please men. 

— 22. Lords day administred y*' Sacrament and preached p'. totum 

diem from John 17. 5. cloud cool rained at night 

— 23. This day . . . spent partly in study and partly in 

visiting, twas said of y* Fam's T: Hooker, that w" doing his 
Masters work he could put a King in his pocket, and by him 
y' y" Elders must have a church in a church if y^ would pre- 
serve y' peace of y* church, and y* y'= debating matters of 
difference first before y^ whole body of y' church will doubtless 
break any chh in pieces, and deliver it up unto Loathsome 
Contempt" 

— 24. Spirit, Soul and body, i thes. 5. 23. when by spirit Some 

understand y'^ natural temper or Humour. Magn''" Am: Lib. 3 
P^g- 33- col. I. . . . under considerable dejection and dis- 
couragement, in god is my help 

— 26. This day . . . how indisposed and Confused, this 

day heard y* y= Rev"*. M\ Andrews^ of Milford died on Thurs- 
day Last. 

— 29. Lords day . . . John y*^ son of John Shepherd baptized 

I find great trouble and difficulty in my work from an intense 
bashfullness and overaweing fear. I pray god to help me to 
conq^ it. 

— 31. ... a very cold day concludes y' month. This day 

y" adj**. County court sat here. 
February begins 
Feby. 4. This day rec^. a present from Doct'. Colman * of some 



' Fli, son of Rev. Benjamin Colton of West Hartford, hereafter to be noticed. 

2 These .alleged sayings of and by Mr. Hooker are from Mather's Magnalia., Book III. 

3 Rev. Samuel Andrews, born at Cambridge, Mass., Jan. 29, 1656 ; grad. H. C. 1675 ; ordained 
at Milford Nov. 18, 1685. Mr. Andrews was one of the original trustees of Yale College ; rector 
pro tempore awhile after the death of Rector Pierson, and died January 24, 1738, age 82. 

* Rev. Benjamin Colman of Boston, b. in Boston Oct. ig, 1673 ; grad. H. C. 1692 ; ordained 
in London, by Presbytery, Aug. 4, 1699 ; returned to Boston and assumed the care of the new Brattle 
Street Church in November following. One of the leading New England ministers of his genera- 
tion. He died Aug. 29, 1747. He is referred to several times in Mr. Wadsworth diary. 

The reference to "proposals for subscriptions" for Dr. Guyse's and Dr. Doddridge's books 
would seem to indicate that they were intended to be published if not jointly at least near together. 
In point of fact the work of Dr. John Guyse (b. at Hertford, England, 1680, died 1761) entitled 
Paraphrase on the Nexv Testament^ was published in three quarto volumes in 1739-42 : while the 
far more popular and useful work of Philip Doddridge (b. 1702 ; minister successively at Kibworth, 
Market Harborough, and Northampton ; died Oct., 1751) entitled. The Family Expositor, etc., 
six volumes quarto, was not published till 1760-62, after the author's death. 



20 



wadsworth's diary [1738 



pamphlets, & printed proposals for subscriptions for printing 
Doct^ Guyse's and Doct' Doddridges paraphrases upon y* Evang. 

— 5. Lords day I preached ... My work difficult, speaking 

hard. I am much Concerned w'. to do to revive a Concern 
about religion among my people. . . . 

— 7. This day snow. This day I paied to Doct'. Morison 8 pound 

in money. ^7. 17s. 6"^ was for y'= io>^ yards of black drugget 
I had of him. 

— 8. This day . . . spent considerable time in searching 

records for Farmington affairs. 

— 9. Books needed and to be bought as soon as conveniently I 

can are M\ Boltons Instruction for y'= right comforting afflicted 
Consciences, Dicksons Therapeutica Sacra, or method of heal- 
ing y* diseases of y* Conscience, D' Goodwins Child of Light 
walking in darkness, M' Bridges Sermon on psa. 142. 11. M'. 
Obad. Sedgwicks Doubting believer, M'. Symonds Care & Cure 
of y* doubting soul. Doct'. Owen on y* 130 psalm, pleasant 
weather 

— 10. This day understood p' Uncle Will™ y' a book of chh 

records &". kept by M' Hooker formerly minisf. of Hartford 
is now in y* Hands of y^ ReV^. M'. Whitman of Farmington.' 
a snowy day . . . 

— 12. Lords day I preached per totum from psal. 73. 25. Ben- 

jamin Dod owned the Covenant. Deac". Thomas Richards 
and Deac°. Nath". Goodwin were chosen messengers by y'' church 
to attend y*" ordination at Wintonbury. M'. Isaac Butler and 
Sarah his wife, Moses Cadwell and Penelope his wife and 
Agnes y^ wife of Jn . Hubbard had a dismission from y'' church 

— 14. This day warm weather My people sledded wood for 

me, bro't about 43 Loads. 

— 15. This day M^ Hez. Bissel '^ was ordained at Wintonbury. 

1 It is tantalizing to think that the missing records of the First Church in Hartford, which in 
all probability contained its Covenant and its Newtown experiences, was still in existence in 1738, 
and its whereabouts known to Mr. Wadsworth. The story is not an improbable one. Pastoral 
records were formerly, much more than now, regarded as private memoranda of the pastor. Mr. 
Hooker's now invaluable notes of early events in the church's history naturally passed with his 
other papers into the hands of his son. Rev. Samuel Hooker, pastor at Farmington ; from him the 
transition v/as easy if not so natural to the hands of his successor. Rev. Samuel Whitman, in whose 
possession it appears they were in 1738. It has been conjectured that in default of any special con- 
cern about them on the part of the First Church pastor, they may have gone from Rev. Samuel 
Whitman of Farmington, to his son Elnathan of Hartford, and been burned in the fire which de- 
stroyed his house. But this is much of it conjecture, and the precious volume may be still in 
existence somewhere. 

^ Rev. Hezekiah Bissell, born at East Windsor Jan. 30, 1710-11 ; grad. V. C. 1733 ; studied 
theology with his pastor. Rev. Timothy Edwards, ordained in a new parish called Wintonbury, (now 
Bloomfield), set off in southwestern part of Windsor, Feb. 15, 1738; continued pastor, though for 
the later years in a paralytic state, till his death Jan. 28, 1783. 



1738] WADSWORTH'S diary 21 

M'. ^larsh preached from 2 cor. 3. 6. Mr. S. Wliitman gave 
y'^ charge and M'. Colton y* right hand of fellowship. 

— 17. . . . observable y' almost every newspaper of late gives 

an ac". of damage done by fires houses burnt or in great ilan- 
ger of it, with difficulty prevented 

— 19. l.ords day I preached . . . Mary liutler, Sarah lUitler 

and Sarah Hopkins owned y* Covenant 

— 22. . . . M'. Barber ' of Mohegin came to my house at night 

— 23. . . . now paied Capt. Hooker bushel & half wheat y' I 

had borrowed 

— 26. Lords day M^ Cleveland ' of Charlestown preached for me 

A.M. from psal 23. i. and P.M. from Haggai i. 5. 

— 2S. Came from Farmington in safety. Laus Deo. This day 

four years since my Marriage, thanks be to him y' has pre- 
served me and those that he has graciously given me. 
March begins 1737/8 
March i. This day heard that Queen Caroline was dead, and y* y' 
Spaniards have taken three East India ships. 

— 2. This day spent to little advantage, save some entertaining 

conversation. M'. Hunn' here this day. 

— 3. This day reC*. a letter from M Bull * of Westfield with a copy 

of y" letter that y*^ K. sent to y* Prince of Wales forbidding 
him y* palace. 

— II. Last night it began to snow and continued snowing y' 

greater part of this day, a deeper snow than any wee have had 
in ye winter past. 



' Rev. Jonathan Barber, born at West Springfield, Jan. 31, 1712-13 ; grad. V. C. 1730; 
licensed to preach by Hampshire Co. Association in 1732 ; preached to the Indians in the Mohegan 
country north of New London awhile ; then gathered a congregation in a part of Southold, L. I., 
called Oyster Ponds. About 1740, inflamed with the reports of Whitefield's evangelistic labors, 
and kindled by contact with Rev. James Davenport, he set out on a revival istic tour of Long Island. 
Meeting Whitefield on his first arrival in New P^ngland Mr. Whitetield was so much pleased with 
him that he offered him the superintendency of his Orphan House in Georgia. Mr. Barber 
remained in Georgia about seven year^ but returning to Oyster Ponds he was ordained Nov. 9, 
1757. His work there was short, however, for on Nov. 3, 1758, he was installed pastor of the church 
in Groton, where he died October 8, 1783. 

» Rev. Aaron Cleveland, b. at Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 29, 1715 ; grad. H. C. 1735 ; settled at 
Haddam, Conn., July, 1739 ; dismissed 1746; took Orders in the Church of Kngland at London in 
1755 ; commissioned by the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts ; died at the house 
of Dr. Franklin in Philadelphia Aug. 11, 1757. 

3 Rev. Nathaniel Hunn, born at Wethersfield Sept. :o, 1708 ; grad. V. C. 1731 ; ordained at 
Reading. March 21, 1733 ; died on a visit to Boston in August or September, 1749. He preached 
the Election Sermon May 14, 1747. His sermon referred to the success at Cape Breton and to the 
disastrous effects of a paper currency. 

* Rev. Nehemiah Bull, born in Farmington or Hartford in 1701 ; grad. ^■. C. 1723, ordained 
at Westfield, Oct. 26, 1726 ; died in his pastorate April 12, 1740. 



22 WADS worth's DIARY [1/38 

— 12. Lords day I preached A.M. from i Joh. 3. 14. & P.M. from 

luk 9. 59. Cool weather 

— [5. Moist weather; Sundry Houses lately burnt as y*^ News 

letters tell us, a year very remarkable on y* ace" this day y*" 
Super'. Court adjourned 

— 19. l,ords day I preached . . . this night rec**. some further 

confirmation of y* Queens death. Said to be ony* 20*'' of Novem- 
ber Last, this night met with a news letter y* gives an ace", 
of several Houses burnt, in one of y"" y' owner and four of 
his children were consumed by y" flames. Save me O Lord and 
mine from such dessolation, I beseech thee for thy mercies sake. 

— 20. This day rec** another news letter giving an ace", of 

houses burnt by fire. ... in y'' afternoon I heard a noise 
in y' southeast, like the report of great Gunns, often repeated, 
and continued till sometime in y* night 

— 23. This day finished reading Doct'. Hows lect. upon Consid- 

eration, and his 2 vol. on Matt. 5. an excellent writer.' In- 
flamed with piety and devotion. At night I married Nath". 
Egglestone to Abigail Goodwin 

— 26. Lords day I preached pr. totum . . . iNc baptized 2 

children viz. Marion daughter to M\ Normand Morison & 
Abigail daughter to M'. Sam". Flagg. 

— 28. This day pleasant, business now done uneasy tempers 

difficultly Quelled or Satisfied. 

— 30. This day Cosen James Wadsworth of Durham here. Joseph 

Skinner Jun'. married at night 

— 31. This day . . . my Sister Betty rode from Farmington 

hither, she has not bin able to ride so far for some years before 
April begins 
April 2. Lords day 1 preached . . . and administred y^ Sac- 
ram*, and M". Helena Talcott was taken into the church. 

— 5. Govern' Clarks" letter this day came to y* Govern'. 

— 6. M'. Bull of Westfield at my house 

— 7. Visited Jno. Bunce, very sick 

— 9. Lords day I preached . . . how difficult my work, but 

how good y* Master I serve, y* blessed Jesus. 

— 10. Laboured under bodily indisposition. This day died John 

Bunce. 

— II. Y^ County Court sits here to-day. a Vendue of one of y*" 

western Townships. . . . 

' Rev. John Howe, the celebrattd Non-Conformist divine (1630-1705), minister in Great Tor- 
rington and London, and some time domestic chaplain to Oliver Cromwell. 
2 I.t.-(Jovernor George Clarke of New York. 



1738] WADSWORTII'S DIARY 2% 

§ 

— 15 This day heard y' Cohi'. Edmund Quincy ag' for y' Province 

of the Mass : at y* Court of (Ireat Britt : died in London, 3'' 
day of March Last, and the news of the Queens death is now 
fully confirmed 

— 16. Lords day I preached from Isai. 9. 6. p'. totum diem. Cool 

weath'. 

— 18. This day heard y' on y' 18"' Instant the house of John Bar- 

nett of Wintonbury and all his household goods, was burnt. 

— 19. This day a day of publick fasting and prayer throughout 

Connecticutt: I preached A.M. from Isai. 58. 6. both congre- 
gations met in y* South meeting house P.M. M'. Whitman 
preached from Dan: 4. 27. . . . 

— 21. . . . this day Tracy and Mason were in Town, left a 

Copy of y* Commission of Inquiry iv:c. with y* Govern'. 

— 23. Lords day I preached pr totum from Isai. 9. 6. . . . 

Ashbel y*^ son of Michael Burnham was baptized 

— 25. This day M'. Hunn came hither and wee set out for boston 

and went as far as Lads. 

— 26. this day in travelling, went as far as Worcester, thro' the 

good hand of god upon us no evil happened to us 

— 27. this day wee arrived at boston safe, our friends well 

— 28. This day spent in boston, little business 

— 30. Lords day. A.M. I went to M"". Foxcrofts meeting.' M'. 

Foxcroft preached from i thes. 4. 14. & P.M. to M'. Hoopers 
meeting.^ M"". Hooper preached from Act. 26. 9 
May begins 
May 3. This day set out from boston home came to Worcester 

— 4. This day came to Springfield 

— 5. This day came Home, and I thank god for his kind provi- 

dence in preserving me, and returning me in safety and y' 
thro' his goodness I find so much health in my family 

— 7. Lords day I preached A.M. at the new chh from luk 12. 15 

and P.M. at my own from Isai. 9. 6. baptized Catherine y' 
daughter of Aaron Cadwell. at noon heard y' my uncle James 
was very sick 



> Rev. Thomas Foxcroft, b. 1696; grad. H. C. 1714 ; ordained pastor First Church, Boston, 
Nov. 20, 1717 ; a zealous promoter of the (Ireat Awakening ; author of many published pamphlets 
and discourses; died June 18, 1769. 

^ Rev. William Hooper, pastor (from May iS, 1737) of the West Chunh in Roston, a mw 
organization formed the year previous to Mr. Wadsworih's visit. After nine years' service Mr. 
Hooper went to England and was ordained an Episcopal minister and returning to Boston became 
(Aug. 28, 1747) rector of 'I'rinily Church. 



24 wadsworth's diary [173S 

w 

8. This day went to Durham to see my good uncle, found him 

sick, but not so bad as my fears. 

— 10. This day (as I hear) y'= Commission'\ Court is to be opened 

at Horse Neck 

— ir. This day Election Govern'. & Dep. Govern', as in y*- 

year past. 

— 14. Lords day M'. Burr preached for me . . . 

— 15 This day y* Govern"", and Company cited to appear before 

y« Commissioners Court' on y' 24 Instant, at Norwich p^ Jos: 
Tracy, y^ citation read only in y^ upper house 

— 16. Capt. Bulkley cSz: M'. Raymond cited to y' Commissioners 

Court this day by Joseph Tracy Jun'. . . . the Gen" assem- 
bly appointed Gentlemen to meet & wait upon y'^ Commission- 
ers from N: York and Rhoad Island. — a post this day sent to 
Boston & another to Rhoad Island 

— 18. Agents this day appointed by y^ Gen. ass. for the 

Governm'. Dep: Gov. Maj'. Wolcot, Capt. Bulkley. 

— 19. M'. White of East Hampton here. Dan". Goodwin y* post 

to Rhoad Island returned agents added Fitch & Fowler. 

— 20. This day credibly Informed concerning an extraordinary 

child (I had sometime before heard off) one Turner at New 
Haven, that at 18 months old w^ was on y' 2^ day of Instant 
May, weighed 46^^ pounds and as to bigness, speech, strength 
and behaviour equals a child of five or six years old. 

— 2 1. Lords day I preached from prov. 11. 11. per totum, pleasant 

weather 

— 22. M'. Nott^ of Saybrook here 

— 24. This day y* Commissioners Court was to sit at Norwich, 

may Connecticutt be saved from destroyers 

— 25. This day died my dear Mother Madam Eunice Talcot'* 

' This was a hearing in the long drawn-out Mohegan case. See ante, p. i6 note. The 
Commissioners were the Lieut.-Governor and Council of New York, and the Governor and Assist- 
ants of Rhode Island. The Commissioners disagreed as to mode of procedure, and those of New 
York entered a protest and withdrew ; those of Rhode Island, left alone, reversed a decision which 
had been made in the Mason's and the Indians' favor in 1705, and gave judgment in favor of the 
Connecticut Colony ; a conclusion which, it will be observed, a few entries later in the diary, Mr. 
Wadsworth thought a salvation from " men of violence " ; an opinion the correctness of which it 
is quite possible to differ about. 

^ Rev. Abraham Nott, born at Wethersfield, Jan. 29, 1696-97 ; grad. Y. C. 1720 ; ordained 
pastor of the church in connection with the Second Ecclesiastical Society in Saybrook Nov. 16, 
1725 ; continued in that relation till his death January 24, 1756. 

3 Mrs. Eunice Talcott was Governor Talcott's second wife, the daughter of Matthew Howell 
of Southampton, L. I., and the widow of Rev. Jabez Wakeman of Newark, New Jersey. Her death 
occurred while the General Assembly was in session and public business was pressing. The Lieu- 
tenant-Governor was absent at the Commissioners' Court in Norwich; so not to delay concerns of 
wider interest the Governor returned to the State House and presided in the session of the Upper 



1738] WADSWORTII'S DIARY 2$ 

Consort to y^ Honb'" Joseph Talcot Esq', about 12 o'clock in 
y* forenoon. She was seized about 11 o'clock with (as 
supposed an Epileptick) fit, sitting in her chair in usual health: 
Teach me O God to number my days aright 

— 27. This day in y* afternoon Mad" Eunice Talcot was Interred. 

Bearers were Maj'. Elles, Capt. Standly, Capt. Whiting, Capt. 
Oz. Pitkin, Maj'. Pierce & Maj'. Burr, the coffin covered 
with black cloath, and four escutcheons fixed upon it ; there 
was a vast Concourse of people, it was y* Largest funeral that 
ever I saw in Connecticut. 

— 28. Lords day M'. Whitman preached for me p'. totum. AP. 

Hunn preached for M'. Whitman 

— 29. This day I went to Farmington. my friends well, returned 

safe thro' y^ good hand of my god upon me. — this day M*. 
Palmer began to work upon y* Steeple of our meeting house 
June begins. 
June 2. This day in study . . . Sister Jerusha returned from 
Boston 

— 4. Lords day. I preached p'. totum from Eccles. 12. 5. East 

side people here. 

— 6. This day heard that y* Commissioners Court at Norwich did 

yesterday after Long hearing &" reverse Dudleys Judgement 
in y* whole of it, and after that dissolved the Court. Thanks 
be to god that has protected us from men of Violence. 

— 7. This day went to Bolton to the assoc". M' Steel preached 

from I cor. 4. 15.' 

— 8. This day M' RusseP of Middletown and I\P. Woodbridge' 

of Glastonbury here 



House in the afternoon. "A joint committee was appointed by both Houses to confer on what 
might be proper to offer to his Honor on the sudden and sorrowful event, and the Lower House also 
appointed Mr. Speaker, the Clerk, and Capt. Samuel Willard, to draw an address of condolence," 
which with the Governor's reply is printed in the Massachusetts Historical Society's Collections, 
3d series, i, 246, and also in Palfrey's History of Ne'M England, Vol. iv, 583, 584. 

1 At the Association it was voted that Rev. Mr. Whitman of Farmington and the Rev. 
Jonathan Marsh of Windsor and all the ministers of Hartford be a standing committee to examine 
all candidates for the ministry " within our Circuit." 

^ Rev. William Russell born at Middletown Nov. 20, 1690; grad. Y. C. 1709; ordained suc- 
cessor to his father, Rev. Noadiah Russell, in the pastorate at Middletown, June i, 1715 ; Fellow of 
V. C. 1745 till his death, June i, 1761, on the anniversary of his ordination, after a ministry of forty- 
six years. He preached the Election Sermon in May 14, 1730. 

s Rev. Ashbel Woodbridge, son of Rev. Timothy Woodbridge of the First Church of Hart- 
ford, born June, 1704 ; grad. Y. C. 1724 ; ordained at Glastonbury, Oct. 23, 1728 ; Fellow of Y. C. 
1755 till his death in the Glastonbury pastorate Aug. 6, 1758. He preached the Election Sermon in 
May, 1752. 



26 wadsworth's diary [1738 

— 9. This day in Study, drew Madam T's ch. & a copy of the H. 

of R's. address to send to y^ Printer." 

— II. Lords day I preached p'. totum . . . this night John 

Shepherd came to discourse me about being admitted to com- 
munion with y* chh. 

— 12. This day catechised children, made some visits among y' 

sick, cloudy weather 

— 16. This day Brother Matthew Talcott returned from Sea, well 

in health, thanks be to God who hath preserved him 

— 17. This day died M". Susanna Hosmer alias Bunce, wife to 

M'. Stephen Hosmer. 

— 18. Lords day I preached . . . this day was Interred M" 

Susanna Hosmore 

— 19. This day about day light my wife was delivered of a 

daughter Thanks be to god that there is a living mother 
and child, this day I catechised children at Lieut. Jon. Cooks 

— 20. The County Court began here. M' Bull of Westfield here 

at night. 

— 21. This day went to Windsor, returned &^ found M''. Jos. 

Moody * of York here, a man of piety and edifying conversa- 
tion tho' too talkative. This day fast at Weathersfield in 
order to seek one to help in y* ministry 

— 24. This day in Study, very warm, y* Sabbath approaches O y' 

god would assist me in preparing for it. This day 

bought me a horse 

— 25. Lords day I preached pr. totum . . . M^ Whitman 

being absent his people were at our meeting. . . . Laboured 
under great indisposition and difticulty in speaking. 

— 27. John Shepherd here at night, appointed y^ 2^ Sabbath in 

July for his admission to y* chh. I pray God to direct and 
assist him in preparing for it. 



1 A draught of the " character " (or as we should say the biographic notice) of Mrs. Talcott, 
prepared by Mr. Wadsworth for "the Printer," remains among Mr. Wadsworth's papers; a kind 
but formal tribute ; lacking the really touching feeling which belonged to the House of Rep- 
resentatives address, which he copied to accompany it. Mr. Wadsworth was essentially a kind 
though formal man ; and he may have felt that the relationship involved laid him under special 
necessity of restraint. 

^ Rev. Joseph Moody the more eccentric son of an eccentric father. Rev. Samuel Moody of 
York, Me. Joseph, the son, was born in 1700 ; grad. at H. C. 1718 ; at first a Town Clerk, Register 
of Deeds, and Judge of Probate, in which functions he did well, but was overpersuaded by his 
father to become a minister. He was a considerable part of his life a hypochondriac, and in extended 
periods wore a handkerchief over his face, at which time he would turn his back toward his con- 
gregation, and lift the handkerchief so far as to read his sermon with his face to the wall. He was 
widely known from this habit as " Handkerchief Moody." He was a good man ; is said to have 
been marvelously gifted in prayer ; he spent the latter years of his life in the seclusion of a voluntary 
retirement from society, and died in 1753. 



1738] wadsworth's diary 27 

— 30. . . . heard Dan" Colliers vessel sprung a leak at sea, 

put in at Boston in distress 
July begins. 
July I. Lords day I preached p^ totum from Matt. 9. 2. . . . 
pleasant weather. Laboured under considerable indisposition 
and weakness 

— 5. Visited a sick man, prayed with him. I pray goil to heal 

and savingly to convert him 

— 9. Lords day I preached per totum diem from Deut. 6. 1 1. . . . 

Moses Cook sick prayed for. I Laboured under great 
difficulty . . . 

— 10. This day Catechised children at Jon: Butlers, Visited &^ 

took care of secular affairs &". 

— 15. . . . visited y* sick children of Jos: Shepherd 

— 16. Lords day I preached . . . John Shepherd and Daniel 

Catlin were rec** into the church. Laboured under great diffi- 
culty in speaking. 

— 19. This day wrot a letter to Doct'. Doddridge at Northampton 

in England and another to go to Long Buckby. 

— 23. Lords day I preached A.M. at y* N chh from heb. 13. 9. & 

P.M. at my own meeting from rom. 6. 12. . . . 

— 25. This day about 7 oclock in afternoon died Moses Cook in 

y' [blank] year of his age. 

— 26. This day was Interred Moses Cook. 

— 27. Went to Windsor on a visit to IM'. Marsh &^ 

— 28. This day in Study, little remarkable a prospect of a 

war between England and Spain. 

— 30. Lords day I preached p'. totum diem . . . Laboured 

. . . Elisha Pratt and wife, Abijah Catlin and Hannah y* 
wife of Eleazer Goodwin prop**, for admission to Com: with y' 
chh. 

— 31. Went over y* River in y' afternoon to Visit M'. Woodbridge 

August 1738. 
Aug. T. Hannah y'= wife of Lieu"'. Aaron Cook came to desire 
Admission to communion with y* church. . . . 

— 2. This day went to Durham with y*^ Govern'. & Sister Hooker 

&•=. Saw M'. Noyes* at Middletown. my friends all well 



' Probably Rev. Joseph Noyes, pastor of the First Church of New Haven, whose wife, 
Abigail Pierpont, was half-sister to Mary Pierpont, the wife of Rev. William Russell, the Middle- 
town pastor. Mr. Noyes was born in Stonington Oct. i6, 1688 ; grad. H. C. 1609 ; tutor ^ . C. 
1710-15 ; ordained at New Haven July 4, 1716 ; had a long controversy in his church growing out of 
the agitation of the Great Awakening period and following discussions, respecting both which he 
belonged to the Old Light party ; died June 14, 1761. 



28 wadsworth's diary [1738 

— 4. This day some rain, y* Govern^ not well, wee returned from 

Durham, got Home a little after nine o'clock 

— 6. Lords day I preached . . . y^ Govern^ sick and prayed 

for. and Jno. Haynes Lord. Hannah y* daughter of Nehemiah 
Cadwell baptized. A sacrament notified for y" next Sabbath. 

— 8. . . . This day our people gat y* spire pole into y* Tower. 

— II. This day in Study, warm weather, y* Govern', very ill. 

— 13. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y' Sacra- 

ment . . . Govern"" yet sick. Elisha Pratt & his wife, 
Abijah Catlin and Hannah y* wife of Eleazer Goodwin admitted 
to communion with y' church. 

— 15. Y^ Govern' Hopefully better. this day at night Capt. 

Hooker took my horse to keep. — and kept him till y^ Wednes- 
day following — 

— 16. This day went to Farmington to Examine M'. Bartholomew' 

in order to ordination and M"". Marsh ^ in order to preaching, 
warm weather. 

— 17. This day our people raised y" spire of our Steeple without 

hurt to any. thanks be to god who has preserved y' Lives and 
limbs, at night died M''. Robert Bartlett aged 35 

— 19. This day was Interred M\ Robert Bartlett. at night heard 

y' brother Nathan Talcot died sometime this week. 

— 20. Lords day I preached per totum from i. pet. i. 17. . . . 

Sundry persons sick and prayed for. 

— 22. This day visited Jn°. Cook, sick, went to Glastonbury re- 

turning went to visit M^ Mix.^ 

— 23. This day little study. M'. White ^ of South=Hampton here. 

I went with him to the West=Division. 

— 26. This day is six year since I came to live in Hartford. 

— 27. Lords day I preached A.M. . . . P.M. M'. White of 

South Hampton preached for me from rom. 5. 12. — a very 
warm day 

— 28. . . . This day about 6 o'clock in y* afternoon died y' 

Rev"*. M'. Stephen Mix of Weathersfield. 



' Andrew Bartholomew, born at Branford, Nov. 7, 1714 ; grad. Y. C. 1731; ordained pastor at 
Harwinton, Oct. 4, 1738, the church having been formed the 27th of September previous. Mr. B. 
was dismissed Jan. 26, 1774, but continued to live in Harwinton till his death, March 6, 1776. A 
defender of the Half-Way Covenant in opposition to Bellamy. 

= Jonathan Marsh, Jr., son of Rev. Jonathan of Windsor, born Jan. i, 1713-14 ; grad. Y. C. 
1735 ; ordained pastor at New Hartford Oct. 10, 1739 ; remained in office till his death, July 5, 1794. 
An "Old Light," like Mr. Bartholomew, in theology. 

s Rev. Stephen Mix of Wethersfield, born at New Haven ; grad. H. C. 1690 ; ordained pastor 
at Wethersfield 1694 ; died in office, Aug. 28, 1738. 

* Rev. Silvanus White born 1704 ; grad. H. C. 1722 ; ordained at Southampton Nov. 17, 1727; 
died Oct. 22, 1782. 



1738] wadsworth's diary 29 

— 30. This day was Interred y* Rev**. Stephen Mix M' Marsh 

preached a sermon from 2 cor. 4. 13, a great number of peo- 
ple were at y* funeral and this day died y* widow Hinsdel of 
this Town. 

September begins 
Sept. 3. Lords day I preached A.M. from Isai. 57. 15. at y- n chh 
and P.M. at my own meeting from Act. 26. 28. Hannah Cook 
y* wife of Lieut'. Aaron Cook was taken into y" church. 

— 5. This day visited y" sick read some of Berry Street 

Sermons. Superior Court opened in this Town to day. 

— 6. This day went to Middletown ordinat". The Rev**. M'. Ed- 

ward Elles ' was ordained Pastor of y* North chh or Society. 
The Rev''. M^ Eells of Scituate preached from Act. 20. 28. and 
then prayed and gave y* charge, M'. Hosmore made y' next 
prayer, M"". Burnham* gave y^ Right Hand of fellowship. ^P. 
Russel made y* prayer previous to y' Sermon, psal. 118 from 
y* 25: V. to y*' end was sung. 

— 7. This day y* news of y* death of Brother Nathan Talcott of 

New Milford comes confirmed. 

— 10. Lords day M^ Goss preached pr totum A.AL from Jer. 17. 

9. 10. P.M. from matt. 7. 12. a cold day 

— 13. This day Commencement at N. Haven, y' affairs of y* day 

managed in tolerable order, took y^ first degree 15, y* 2^ 
[blank] Chauncy Whittlesey ^ made y' Salutatory oration and 
Sam: Williams* y* Valedictory. 

— 15. This day returned from N: Haven in safety and found my 

family well God be praised for it. 



' Rev. Edward Eells born at Scituate (where his father, Rev. Nathaniel Eells, who preached, 
made the ordaining prayer and gave the charge on this occasion, was pastor), grad. H. C. 1733, and 
continued in the pastorate of this North Society (now Cromwell) till his death, Oct. 12, 1776, aged 
sixty-four. He preached the Election Sermon in 1767, and published some pamphlets in the Wal- 
lingford Controversy. 

2 Rev. William Burnham of the Second Society in Farmington (now Kensington), bom in 
Wethersfield ; grad. H. C. 1702 ; settled as pastor Dec, 1712 ; died Sept., 1750. Under Mr. Bum- 
ham's ministry a prayer and conference meeting existed, at which the brethren presided in rota- 
tion, each one naming the next to preside and designating the Scripture passage to be considered. 
The explanation of this (at this date) unusual practice is probably to be found that Mr. Bumham 
had lived an unordained person among the people of his charge for five years previous to his becom- 
ing their official pastor. 

' Afterward Rev. Chauncey Whittlesey^of the First Church in New Haven. He was bom at 
Wallingford, Oct. 8, 1717 ; grad. Y. C. 1738 ; tutor in Y. C. six years ; in business in N. H. ten or 
twelve years though preaching occasionally ; ordained pastor of the First Church, as colleague with 
Rev. Mr. Noyes, March i, 1758; continued after Mr. Noyes' death, in the sole pastorate till he 
died July 24, 1787. He preached the Election Sermon May 14. 1778. 

* Samuel Williams, son of Rector Williams. He had graduated three years before, in 1735, 
and was now probably giving his Master's oration. He was born in the Newington parish of 
Wethersfield, Aug. 16, 1720 ; and died, two years later than this event mentioned by Mr. Wads- 
worth, Nov. 15, 1740, at Wethersfield. 



30 wadsworth's diary [1738 

— 17. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized 3 children, 

viz. x\mos Shepherd, Ezekiel Sandford, and Hannah CatHn 

— 21. This day some study, pleasant weather, the Govern"", first 

came hither after his sickness, this day died Orange Webb 

— 23. This day . . . Orange Webb was Interred. 

— 24. Lords day I preached per totum . . , Daniel Messen- 

ger dismissed from my chh. in order to Joyn with y' people 
at Herwinton in forming- into Church State 

— 25. This day y^ son of Jos: Holtum was buried. 

— 27. This day , . . visited y* sick, this day died Joseph 

Collier. 

— 28. This day Joseph Collier was buried, this day is six years 

since I was ordained to y'' work of y* ministry. 
October begins 
Oct. I Lords day I preached. ... a very rainy stormy day. 
this day Ben: Catlin and Margaret his wife & Anna the wife 
of Jon: Hopkins dismissed to Harwinton church. 

— 3. This day I went to Harwinton to the ordination of M^ Bar- 

tholomew, gat there safely 

— 4. This day y* Rev"*. M"". Andrew Bartholomew was ordained 

pastor of y* Church and people at y* Town of Harwinton ac- 
cording to y* direction of y^ ordination Councel. I began 
with prayer, y* Rev**. M''. Whitman of Farmington preached 
from Jer. 3. 15. and made y* prayer previous to y^ charge, and 
gave y" charge, y* Rev"*. M^ Marsh made y® next prayer, y* 
Rev^ M^ Whitman of Hartford gave y* right Hand of fellow- 
ship and y* part of y* 118. psalm was sung and y' Rev**. M^ 
Bartholomew pronounced the blessing. 

— 5. This day I heard that M^ Rosewell Saltonstall ' of Branford 

died at New London the first day of this month. 

— 8. Lords day I preached per totum from psal. 22. 27. Laboured 

under weakness and difficulty 

— 9. . . . this day our people set fire to their Kiln of oyster 

Shells, containing about 1200 bushel. 

— 10. This day went to Scantick to y* Association, nothing re- 

markable happened, y* govern'' set out for New-Haven. 

— II. This day a lecture at Scantick by M'. Elmer.'' , . . 



' Capt. Rosewell Saltonstall, H. C. 1720, died Oct. i, 1738. 

* Rev. Daniel Elmer, born in East Windsor about 1690; grad. Y. C. 1713 ; preached awhile 
in different places in Massachusetts, removing in 1727 to New Jersey; ordained in 1728 pastor of the 
Church in Fairfield, Cumberland Co., in that State, where he died Jan. 14, 1755. An " Old Side " 
man in the troubles attending the Whitefieldian movement. 



1738] wadsworth's diary 31 

— 15. Lords day I preached per totum from phil: 2. 5. John 

Spencer Sen^ was admitted into communion with y' chh 

— 17. . . . M'. Hobart' of fairfield here upon a Journey to 

Boston. M'. Bissel here. 

— 19. . . . Great expectation of a war with Spain, rec''. a 

letter from y' gov. at N: Haven 

— 20. this day received twenty pounds in money of Sam". Peck 

— 21. . . . this day was buried a child of Sam'. Halladays who 

died yesterday of y* throat distemper as was supposed, and 
this day died a child of Daniel Seymours of y"" throat distemper. 

— 22. Lords day I preached per totum . . . between services 

the child of Daniel Seymour y' died yesterday was buried. 
Jemima y* daughter of Ben: Richards was baptized. 

— 26. . . . this day heard that Will™ Thall died yesterday 

— 27. At night M^ Curtiss^ here, came from y* Councel at Staf- 

ford at night my horse was put into C. Hookers past 

— 29. Lords day I preached per totum . . . and baptized 

John Jones upon his Masters ace". John Spencer, he ingaging 
to bring him up in y* christian faith. 

— 31. This day very little study. . . . this day our people 

got y* bell up into y" Steeple in order to hang it 
Novemb^ Begins 
Nov. I. . . . Doct'. HulP came to Capt. Hooker, who con- 
tinues very sick of y* Cholick 

— 2. . . . This day our meeting house bell * was hung and first 

Rang in our Steeple this day a child, Charter by name was 
buried, this day y" gen", assembly adjourned without day. 

— 3. . . . this day y* Govern' got home well from y* general 

assembly 

— 5. Lords day I preached A.M. . . . at y* n chh. and P.M. 



1 Rev. Noah Hobart, bom at Hingham, Mass., Jan. 12, 1706 ; grad. H. C. 1724 ; ordained 
pastor First Congregational Church, Faisfield. Feb. 7, 1733. A leading minister of the day, an 
active Controversialist in behalf of the principles of Congregationalism as against the claims of 
Episcopacy. He published many sermons and pamphlets, among which is the Election Sermon of 
1750. He died Dec. 6, 1773. 

a Rev. Jeremiah Curtis, born in Stratfield (now Bridgeport), Connecticut, in May, 1706 ; grad. 
V. C. 1724 ; ordained at Southington, Nov. 13, 1728. In the Whitefieldian troubles he was an " Old 
Light," and in Nov., 1755, he was dismissed from his charge. He continued to live in Southington 
for forty years longer, where he died March 21, 1795. 

s Doctor Benjamin Hull of Wallingford ; licensed to practice physic, Oct., 1717. Dr. Gurdon 
W. Russell in "his Early Medicine and Early Mfdical Men in Connecticut sa.ys\.ha\. Dr. HuU'speti- 
tion to be admitted to practice, "shows that orthography was not among the ' arts and mysteries' 
he had cultivated with success." 

*• See as to the history of the bell, Mr. Rowland Swift's paper in the Two Hundred and 
Fiftieth Anniversary volume of the First Church. 



32 wadsworth's diary [1738 

. . . at my own meeting. Sarah y* daughter of Jonathan 
Alcot was baptized, in y* evening I preached a lecture at 
Dec". Merrills from Jos. 24. 15. 

— 6. . . . this day I bo't Benjamin Catlins House, barn, Home 

Lot' &°. for ^500. to be paid ;<{J^2oo. February next, ^200. 
Aug' 20"" next coming, ^100. Feb'' 20 1740. y* lot contains 8 
acres. This day my horse was taken from Capt. Hookers pas- 
ture, last friday week he was put in 

— 9. thanksgiving I preached from psal. 103. i to y* 5. 

— 12. Lords day I preached . . . baptized Mehitable Marvin 

and Ann Brace. Dorcas Brace and Rebecca Brace owned y' 
Covenant y^ wife of Seth Young & Abigail Ashley pro- 
pounded to own y*^ Covenant 

— 14. This day went to Farmington. Saw my friends well. This 

day I suppose is my birth day 

— 15. This day Came From Farmington, thanks be to god y' 

hath preserved me. . . . 

— 16. . . . this day M^ W". Keith and M". Marrianne Law- 

rence were joined in Marriage. 

— 19. Lords day I preached per totum from phil: 3. 8. and ad- 

ministred y* Sacrament: in y'' afternoon y' South Side people 
were at our meeting. M". Whitman not being well. 

— 21, This day I first perceived something like a tooth cutt in y* 

roof of my mouth under my right foretooth. May not y' 
effects thereof be hurtfull 

— 22. Cold weather, this day my uncle Thomas here, y" County 

Court adj**. to y* last Tuesday in January. 2 persons whipt 
for stealing 

— 23. partly in study. observed something in one of my 

parishioners gives me fears what he may come to. I pray god 
to restrain him from sin, and keep him from the iniquity w°. 
I fear may be his ruin. 

— 26. Lords day I preached pr totum from L pet. 4. 17. Abigail 

Ashley owned y^ Covenant 

— 28. I find by looking over my register of baptisms y' I have 

baptized since my ordination, in my own parish, 66 males and 
69 females snowy day, snow fell shoe deep. 



> Mr. Wadsworth had bought of Mrs. Abigail Woodbridge "about one acre more or less" for 
a home in 1733. This ground on which he proceeded speedily to build was that on which he lived, 
and on part of which the Athenaium building now stands. Some fragmentary accounts of pay- 
ments made on the cellar and the well and other items of construction are still extant. This pur- 
chase from Benjamin Catlin was an additional one. 



1739] WADSWORTH'S DIARY 33 

— 29. . . . at niti^ht rec'' a present of 40'. from M'. rainier 

December begins 
Dec. 3. Lords clay M;. Burr of Worcester preached for nie A:M. 
from Col. 3. 17. & P.M. from heb. 4. 3. 

— 7. This day sold my Lot by PLpliraim Smiths at ^^13 p'. acre. 

returned from Farmington. 

— 8. this day partly in Study, reading the Turkish Spy,' nothing 

remarkable occurs. 

— 10. Lords day I preached pr totum from 2 Epist. Joh. 4. v. . . . 

— 12. Some Study, a snowy day. M\ Serjeant^ of ousatannack 

here at night 

— 13. This day more moderate . . . M'. Serjeant went from 

hence 

— 14. this day y* weather Something moderated, my Self under 

difficulties and perplexities 

— 17. Lords day I preached pr. totum from rom. 6. 21. baptized 

James son of Ozias Pitkin Esq. 

— 18. this day went to Wintonbury, borrowed Stackhouses body 

of Divinity 

— 21. this day without Study, this day my people sledded wood 

for me. this day died y* wife of W". Day 

— 22. . . . this day was buried y* wife of William Day 

— 23. Visited y" sick Capt. Williamson & widow Day. 

— 24. Lords day I preached pr totum from psal. 77. 6. this day 

died Capt. Caleb Williamson 

— 26. This day died y* widow Day 

— 27. This day cold, y*^ widow Day Interred 

— 29. . . . this day y* Society voted me ^200. salary 

— 31. Lords day I preached from psal. 94. 12. and baptized Joseph 

y* son of Seth Youngs 

January a new year begins. 1738/9 

Jany. 3. little Study very cold, visited NP. Woodbridge 

— 4. I'his day some Study. Capt. Ozias Pitkin very ill with y* 

Cholick 



> T/te Turkish Spy. Letters lurit by a Turkish S/>y, who lived five and forty years un- 
discox'ered at Paris, a book written by John Paul Marana, a Genoese, first published in 1691 and 
which went through twenty-six editions by 1770. 

2 Rev. John Sergeant, born in 1710 in Newark, New Jersey; grad. Y. C. 1729; tutor some 
time in V. C; ordained Aug. 31, 1735, as a religious tearher among the Housatonic Indians residing 
in what are now the towns of Stockbridge and Great Harrington in Mass.ichuselts. In this work he 
attained a most honorable success and continued in it till hisearly death in hi-; iliin v-ninth year July 
27, 1749. 

s 



34 WADSWORTIl'S DIARY [l739 

— 7. Lords day I preached pr totum from heb. 3. 12 and baptized 

Samuel the son of Capt. George Wyllys 

— 8. This day Study and visiting &^ this day writt a will for y' 

wid: Hannah Hopkins 

— 10. This day I went to Farmington saw my friends well, sav- 

ing uncle Hez. who is Lame, returned safe. Misty 
weather, called up in y* night to visit a sick child 

— II providence is y* care w" god has over all things in y' world, 

to preserve y* being he has given y", and to direct their 
motions and actions to y^ ends he has purposed. Snowy 
weather this day 

— 13. . . . this day died y* widow Kelsey 

— 14. Lords day I preached A.M. at y* new chh. i. cor. i. 30. and 

P.M. at my own from heb. 3. 13. 

— 15. This day visiting y'= sick, writing &". this day y' widow 

Kelsey was buried 

— 16. . . . this day y* son of moses Seymour was buried 

— 17. This day ... a child of Henry Nicholson was buried 

— 19. . . . This day died Abigail y* daughter of Ben: Richards 

in y^ 7"' year of her age 

— 20. This day . . . Abigail Richards was buried 

— 21. Lords day I preached from heb. 3. 13. p^ totum. Bar- 

zillai Clark & Deb: Cook were admitted to full communion 
with y* chh 

— 26. This day . . . died Nath" Marsh Jun'. 

— 27. This day . . . Natt: Marsh was buried 

— 28. Lords day I preached and administred y' Lords Supper 

. . . Nabby 4 year old this day 

— 30. The adjourned County court sits here today, very cold 

weather, at night died Benjamin Richards aged 6 years, y*" 
son of Benj: Richards. 

— 31. This day y* son of Ben. Richards, Interred, a warm day. 

little study. M^ Bissel here. 
February begins. 
Feby. i. This day little study. Cumbred with visits to little 
profit, raining in y* afternoon 

— 4. Lords day I preached p'. totum from Eccles. 7. 14 y' new 

church people at our meeting, M'. Whitman being sick. Ros- 
well y* son of Daniel Steel was baptized. 

— 5. William Nichols and Mary Farnsworth were Joined in 

marriage 



1739] WADSWOKTII'S DIARY 35 

— 6. This day . . . died Jonath" y' son of Benjamin Richards. 

— 7. This day went to Glastonbury, a lecture there. M'. Lock- 

wood ' preached from Matt. 25. 46. Jonathan y' son of Ben. 
Richards was buried this day. 

— 10. This day in Study Cool weather: close application to 

business, y* way to have it easy and pleasant 

— II. Lords day I p'-eached pr. totum from Exod. 20. 16. a 

snowy day , 

— 13. This day . . . went to Farmington Many sick there 

— 14. This day finished a bargain with Elisha Lewis about my 

pasture by Lieut. Harts and took his bond for ^90. returned 
from Farmington. 

— 16. . . Eben: Belding paied me ^27. on account of 

Samuel Peck. 

— 18. Lords day I preached from E.xod. 20. 17 and finished my 

discourses upon the Commandments. Aaron y' son of John 
Shepherd was baptized 

— 19. This day little study, a case of weight and importance 

proposed to me. may I be directed in resolving it 

— 20. . . this day paied ;^io. at M^ Sloans shop of what I 

owed him, and ^^5. 17 more for our maid 

— 22. . . . at night married Capt. Josiah Hart & Lois Goodwin 

— 25. Lords day I preached pr totum from psal. 96. 4. . . . 

a thunder storm at night, the thunder now rattles in y' sky, 
and y* heavens are as it were on fire. 

— 27. . . , this day paied to Thomas Abbe ^50. on y* ace' of 

Dan". Brown, being part of y* ;!^2oo. I was to pay Ben. Catling. 
& Dan". Catling gave me credit ^^50. on his fathers Bond. 

— 28. This day M^ James Lock wood was ordained pastor of y* 

first church in Weathersfield. M'. Ashbel Woodbridge began 
with prayer. M''. W". Russel preached from Col. 4. 17. M'. 
Steph". Hosmore made y* next pray', and M'. Dan". Russel ' 
gave y* Right Hand of fellowship. 
March begins 

— Mch. I. In y"^ afternoon a number of M'. Whitmans parish met 



' Rev. James Lockwood, born at Norwalk, Dec. 20, 1714; grad. Y. C. 1735; ordained at 
Wethcrsfield, successor of Rev. Stephen Mix, Feb. 28, 1738-39 ; a Fellow of Y. C. from 1760 to his 
death ; a favorer of Whitefield and new measures ; preacher of the Election Sermon May g, 1754, 
and ajjain May 10, 1759 ; published several Occasional Sermons ; died July 20, 1772. 

2 Rev. Daniel Russell, born in Middletown, June 3. 1702; grad. Y. C. 1724; ordained at 
Stepney (now Rocky Hill) June 7, 1727 ; died in the pastorate Sept. 16, 1764. He was brother of 
Rev. William Russell of Middletown, and son of Rev. Noadiah of the same place. 



36 wadsworth's diary [i739 

to pray for y'' ministers, life and health, he being sick. M'. 
Hosmer, Bissel and my self there. 

— 4. Lords day M'. Levinsworth ' preached for me 

Hannah Youngs owned y* Covenant. John y" son of Cornelius 
Knowles was baptized. 

— 8. M". Backus ' cS; Bartlett ' here at night 

— II. Lords day I preached pr totum from heb. 2. 3. rainy, 

snowy weather 

— 13. This day . . . my uncle Thomas here. Some ill news 

of one of my friends afflicts me greatly 

— 18. Lords day I preached . . . y" new church i)eople met 

at our meeting house. 

— 20. Paied Ben: Catling ^^20 money. 

— 24. This day in Study, this day took up my bonds given to 

Ben. Catling, and in lieu of y" gave new bonds to Daniel 
Brown one ;i^i3o another ^200 to be paied next August, 
another 100 to be paied next February. 

— 25. Lords day I preached per totum from heb. 12. 14. Laboured 

under great difficulty by reason of faintness & weakness at my 
breast. 

— 26. This day . . . reading Pierce his vindication * &". 

April. 
April 1. Lords day I preached from i King 11. 9. baptized Mary y* 
daughter of John Knowles. 

— 5. This day . . . paied M'. Sloane ^3. in money. Train- 

ing day 

— 8. Lords day I preached per totum from psal. 50. i. and bap- 

tized Mary y" daughter of Ichabod Wadsworth and Sarah y' 
daughter of Barzaillai Clark. 

— II. This day a publick fast, I preached per totum at y^ new 

chh from Isai. 48. 8. warm weather, after meeting Elisha 
Diar was Interred. 

— 14. I hear y' two men were y^ killed with y*' lighning at Mid- 

dletown last night, blessed be god y' has preserved me 
and mine from destruction by it 



' Rev. Mark Leavenworth, born in Stratford in 1712 ; grad. Y. C. 1737 ; invited in 
October of this year (1739) to the ministry of the First Society in Waterbury : ordained there in 
March, 1740; continued pastor till his death, Aug. 20, 1797. He was an enthusiastic " New Light "; 
and preached the Election Sermon May 14, 1772. 

* Rev. Simon Backus of Newington, born at Norwich, Feb. 11, 1701 ; grad. Y. C. 1724 ; or- 
dained at the Newington parish in Wcthersfield Jan. 25, 1727. Died at Louisburg while Chaplain 
to the Connecticut troops at that port, February 2, 1745-6. 

3 Rev. Moses Bartlett, born in Madison, Feb. 8, 1707-8 ; grad. Y. C. 1730; ordained at Port- 
land parish in Chatham, June 6, 1733 ; died Dec. 27, 1766. 

* A Vindication 0/ Dessenters, by Rev. James Pierce of Exeter, England, 1718. 



17391 \VADs\ve)kiirs diary 



37 



— 15. Lords day I preached per tutum from Juli. r. 29 and ad- 

niinistred y' Sacrament. 

— 17. This day . . . heard y' M^ Judah Lewis ' of Colches- 

ter died last Lords day night 

— 18. This day went to Windsor to a CounceP: a case of no 

small difficulty Laied before y* Coiincel 

— 19. This day spent at Windsor in y« business afores"*. Came 

home at night. 

— 22. Lords day I preached per totum from i tim. 6. S. . 

O y* 1 could with more facility and comfort discharge y' duties 
of y* Sabbath 

— 24. This day freemans meeting Capt. Marsh cV M\ Buckingham 

Chosen Deputies, went to Farmington . . . 

— 26. This day received a letter from Doct'. Doddridge at 

Northampton in England another from J no. Wadsworth of y* 
same place, another from Thomas and Ann Wadsworth at 
Long buckby in old England, as cold water to a thirsty soul, 
so is good news from a far country.^ 

— 28. this day . . . y" wife of Joseph Barnard (who died 

yesterday) was buried. 

— 29. Tords day I preached p^ totum from luk. 3. 8. . . . 

at night Govern^ Talcott rec"*. a letter from agent Wilks* 
May begins 
May 3. M'. Samuel Talcott and M". Mehetable Wyllys were 
Joined in marriage 

— 5. This day . . . reC*. from y* Rev**. Doct^ Colman a 



• Rev. Judah Lewis, born in Colchester June 6, 1703; grad. Y. C. 1726; ordained at what 
was called the Westchester Society, set off from Colchester and East Haddam, Dec. 17, 1729. He 
died April 15, 1739, in his 36th year. 

' This Council was called on one special phase of a controversy which in various forms had 
a good while continued between Rev. Timothy Fxhvards and his Church at East Windsor. The 
Jons et origo of the difficulty was an opposition between pastor and people about church-govern- 
ment ; the pastor being a strong advocate of the Ecclesiastical System established at Saybrook in 
1708; the church claiming to be Congregational according to the system of the Westminster Plat- 
form adopted at Cambridge in 1649. 

The particular point round which the antagonism just now centered was the case of one 
Joseph Diggins, whom Mr. Edwards refused to allow the church privilege of Owning the Covenant 
and having his child baptized; alleging against him the " scandalous offence of having married Mr. 
William Stoughton's daughter contrary to her father's wish." The church sustained Mr. Diggins' 
claim ; Mr. Edwards refused to hear the church, affirming a right of negative on the church, and 
that until his opinion changed it was useless for the church to meddle in the matter. The matter 
will be referred to again. 

3 Mr. Wadsworth maintained correspondence with his English relatives with considerable 
activity considering the time, and an interesting letter to him from Dr. Doddridge dated Northamp- 
ton, March 6, 1741, acknowledging one received from Mr. Wadsworth written Sept. 15, 1740, is still 
e.xtant in the possession of Dr. J. H. Trumbull. 

^ Francis Wilks, Esq., agent of the Colony at the English Court. He died in 1742. 



38 WADSWORTIl'S DIARY [^739 

present of 3 Sermons & about a dozen of Watts Songs, and 
a dozen of Henrys Catechism, I pray god bless and preserve 
y* life of y* useful man 

— 6. Lords day I preached from luk. 3. 8. A.M. and P.M. from 

Jam. I. 21. a pleasant day . . . 

— 10. This day election. Govern'. Dept-Govern'. and assistants 

all as in y* year past excepting that M^ Stillman was chosen 
an assistant and M^ Lewis was left out. this day heard by 
M'. Clap ' that some people have lately discovred spots in y*^ 
sun 

— 13. Lords day M^ Burr preached for me . . . 

— 16. This day . . began to pull down my old barn, work- 

men. Jos. Talcot & W'". Goodwin 

— 20. Lords day I preached per totum . . . may y'' divine 

blessing attend my Labours. May I be successfuU in y* 
ministry 

— 22. . . . this day M"". Douse came to board at our house 

— 23 this day paied to Daniel Brown of Lifield 76 

pound, being part of the first bond y* he has ag'. me 

— 27. This day preached . . . Laboured under great indis- 

position especially in y'' forenoon. 

— 27. This day in secular business, raised a barn &". 

— 31. nil remarkable. Save y' Epaphras Lord Jun^ died in y'= 

y'** year of his age. 
June begins 
June 2. Epaphras Lord Interred in y* afternoon. 

— 3. Lords day I preached . . . Laboured under much weak- 

ness and indisposition 

— 4. This day writing letters &'. for England ... at night 

heard y* brother Matthew Talcot is come from sea. 

— 5. This day went to y'^ association at Toland 

— 6. This day a lecture M^ Marsh preached from act. 9. 6. re- 

turned home, I thank god that has bro't me to see my family 
in safety 

— 10. Lords day I preached A.M. for M"". Whitman y* sermon 

composed on i tim. 6. 8. tho' the text I took for it was heb. 



' Rev. Thomas Clap, now of Windham, but next year to be inducted Rector of Yale College. 
Mr. Clap was born at Scituate, Mass., June 26, 1703 ; grad. H. C. 1722 ; ordained pastor at Wind- 
ham Aug. 3, 1726 ; transferred to the Presidency of Yale College April 2, 1740 ; resigned the office in 
September, 1765 ; died at New Haven Jan. 7, 1767. He was an " Old Light " in the religious con- 
troversies of his day ; an opposer of the Whitefieldian methods, and author of several imjiortant 
historical and controversial publications. 



1739] WADSWORTII'S DIARY 39 

13. 5. . . . Laboured under great indisposition by reason 
of a cold 

— 12. This day went to a Councel at Windsor rainy weather 

— 13. This day spent at Windsor in y« affair between M'. Ed- 

wards and y* chh came to a Conclusion Late at night' 

— 15. . . . brother Matthew came home from sea. 

— 17. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y' Sac- 

ram'. . . . 

— 19. This day y' gen", assoc". meets at Wallingford I was 

appointed a Delegate but could not with convenience go. 

— 20. paied to M^ Sam". Dwight of Somers ;!{i^55. 11. o. on ace" 

of Daniel Brown, and took up my bond 

— 21. . . . perplexed with variety of affairs . . . M'. 

Hobart of Fairfield here at night 

— 24. Lords day I preached . . . and had a Contribution for 

y* presbyterians at Southington.^ 14 pound contributed 

— 28. . . . writ a letter to send to M'. Sylvester Wadsworth in 

England 

July begins 
July I. Lords day I preached . . . baptized William y* son of 
Ben. Swett 

— 5. . . . advised to take care of my health which seems to 

be very much broken 

— 6. This day in Study M^ Eliot ' of Kellingsworth here, advises 



' A further stage of the Edwards-Diggins affair (see ante, p. 37, note). Mr. Edwards since 
the last Council had charged Mr. Diggins with having broken the Fifth and Eighth Command- 
ments, and called a church meeting for his trial. The church sustained Mr. Diggins and pro- 
nounced him not guilty. Krom this verdict Mr. Edwards and two of the church meml)crs 
dissented, and called a Council to judge in the matter. The Council met as above and decided in 
favor of the Church. The Council, however, commended Mr. Edwards for his "tenderness, prud- 
ence, faithfulness and caution " in the matter ; suggested if the pastor had scruples not to be over- 
come that Mr. Diggins' friends cease to press for his admission to the Covenant ; and that Diggins 
better apply to some other minister and church for the privileges which Mr. Edwards did not see 
his way to accord. With this two-sided " Conclusion Late at night," the Council broke up. But 
the trouble, as we shall see, was not over. 

" The vigorous administration of the Consociation System established by law in Connecticut 
had led to a conception of Congregationalism little different from Presbyterianism. Ministers and 
churches alike forgot the principles of the first founders of Congregationalism on the soil, and even 
forgot the name e.\cept to contemn it. They called themselves Presbyterians, in contrast with the 
few churches here and there (East Windsor whose troubles we have had occasion to notice among 
them) which were disposed to adhere to what was called the Strict Congregational Way, i. <•., such 
churches clung to the Cambridge Platform of 1649, and denied the binding authority of the Saybrook 
System. So Mr. Wadsworth called the Southington church, now struggling into existence, a Presby- 
terian church ; just as Dr. Strong, seventy-five years later, used to print on the title-page of the .ser- 
mons preached by him in the First Church in Hartford, " By Nathan Strong. Pastor of the North 
Presbyterian Church." 

3 Rev. Jared Eliot, born in Guilford, Nov. 7, 1685 ; grad. V. C. 1706 ; ordained at Killing- 
worth (now Clinton) Oct. 26, 1709 ; trustee of Y. C. from 1730 till his death ; an " Old Light " in 



40 wadsworth's diary [1739 

me to take a vomit once in awhile of Ipacacuania, and also 
bitters, as gentian, camamile &" in powder or steeped in wine, 
and also y* yolk of an egg in cyder sweetened with honey, once 
twice or 3 times a day, according as y* Catarrhous humour 
affects me 

— 8. Lords day I preached p"'. totum from Mark 6. 20. Laboured 

under some difficulty . 

— 15. Lords day I preached . . . this day John Ripenear was 

buried 

— 18. . . . rec'^ visits &^ M'. Russell of Stepney, M^ Lock- 

wood & AP. Brainard. 

— 19. this day sent a letter to Boston by M^ Whitman to go to 

England to Docf. Doddridge 

— 20. An awfull spectacle I saw this day of a man reduced to 

misery, deprived of sense, speech and afflicted with constant 
convulsive motions, all occasioned by y' excessive use of 
strong drink as I supposed. 

— 22. Lords day I preached A.M. at y' new chh . . . and P.M. 

at my own meeting . . . went thro' my work with less 
difficulty than at some other times, thanks be unto god for it. 

— 23. This day went to Farmington saw my friends well &'. this 

day Jonathan Wadsworth died in a very sudden manner in y' 
woods 

— " ... Henry Nicholson died, Jonathan Wadsworth 

was Interred. 

— 28. This day heard y' Samuel only son of M^ Daniel Edwards 

of New=Haven died on thursday last of y* throat distemper. 

— 29. Lords day I preached . . . Says M"". Chillingworth I 

wo'd in y* pulpit use none as enemies but y* devil & sin 
August begins. 
August I. Went to Weathersfield &^ Wee had much talk about 
Conversion, and how far and what an unconverted man can 
and w' he cannot do, but with what darkness and confusion do 
wee talk of these things 

— 4. nothing very remarkable occurs. Saving that Jery Allen ' 



theological sympathies ; practiced physic ; reputed an eminent botanist ; member of the Royal 
Society ; four times Moderator of the General Association ; published several addresses and ser- 
mons among which was the Election Sermon of May ii, 1738 ; died April 22, 1763, in the 7Sth year 
of his age. See Dr. C.urdon W. Russell's Early Medicine, etc. 

> Probably Jeremiah Allen of Boston, son of Rev. James Allen of the First Church in that 
place, and at one time Treasurer of the Massachusetts Colony. Apparently his " push " for the 
employment he sought was not successful. 



1739] WADSWORTIl'S DIARY 4I 

came to Town to push for to be employed in y' affairs of this 
Governm*. at y* Court of great Brittain 

— 5. Lords day I preached . . . felt l)ut little if anylhinij of 

weakness at my breast. 

— 7. This day went to Farmington to visit my friends, bro't 

with me from thence sixty eight pounds ten shillings in Money 
rec**. of Elisha Lewis, and deliv''. up his bond 

— 10. This day took Physick, viz. Ipacacuana &". Study, rainy 

toward night . . . 

— II. this day I think John Burkitt first came to live with me 

— 12. Lords day y'' Rev''. AP. Morison' preached for me A.M. . . . 

— 13. This day . . . preparing for my Intended Journey &°. 

This day by an Express from Boston y* Governm' is Informed 
y' Commissions of Marq and Reprisal are granted upon y' 
Spaniards. 

— 14. This day set out on a Journey for my health in Company 

with M"". Colton, travelled as far as New-Haven, the throat 
distemper prevails there. 

— 15. proceeded on my Journey as far as Fairfield. 

— 16. proceeded on my Journey as far as Norwalk. 

— 17. Proceeded as far as Rye, and understanding y' y* Small pox 

was in our Rhoad, viz. at East Chester, N. Y. thot it not safe 
to proceed and so returned y' same day as far as Horsneck. 

— 18. This day came to Norwalk. 

— 19. Lords day tarried at Norwalk. M'. Dickinson' preached 

A.M. from Matt. 5. 6. and P.M. I preached from John i. 29. 

— 20. This day went to Reading. Sent a letter to y* Gov. and 

another to my wife p'. M^ Colton. 

— 22. This day came to Fairfield. Lodged at ISP. Hobarts. 

— 23. This day came to New Haven lodged at M". Pundersons.' 



' Rev. Evander Morrison, a brother of Doctor Norman Morrison the physician (ante p. 10 
note); born, educated, and ordained in Scotland. He apparently, from the frequency of his prcach- 
inK for Mr. Wadsworth, lived in Hartford without stated charge, saving that in 1750 he was in- 
stalled pastor of the newly organized church in West Simsbury (now Canton) a relationship which 
continued, however, only about eleven months. During this pastoral experience he was a member 
of the Hartford North Association, and his name appears several times in its records. During a 
part of 1748 he supplied Mr. Woodbridge's troublesome pulpit at East Hartf.-rd for which he was paid 
twenty-six pounds. In 1752 he was in New Jersey preaching at the Forks of Delaware. He minis- 
tered in several churches under care of the Newcastle and Abington Presbyteries as late as 1756, 
but returned to Connecticut and died in Hartford, Jan. 30, 1762. 

2 Rev. Moses Dickinson, born in Springfield, Mass., Dec. 12, 1695 ; grad. V. C. 1717 ; preached 
several years in New Jersey ; installed at Norwalk Nov. i, 1727 ; Fellow of V. C. from 1758 to 1777; 
a Controversial writer and publisher of several tracts on current discussions ; a moderate " New 
Light " in sentiment. He died May i, 1778, aged 82 years. 

3 Probably Mr. Thomas Punderson, the father of Rev. Ebenezer Pundcrson (V. C. 1726) who 
just before this date, after a ministry of some years in Groton, had taken orders in the Episcopal 
Church. 

6 



42 wadsworth's diary [1739 

— 24. This day Came Home, found my family well and under 

Comfortable circumstances : I desire with my whole heart to 
give god thanks for it. 

— 26. Lords day M''. Campbell ' preached for me , . . This 

day 7 years since I came to live in Hartford. 

— 29. This day paied to Billy Keith ^^7. 12'. 6'. money. Nothing 

remarkable occurs 
September begins 
Sept. I. . . . its reported y' a frenchman is seized at Albany 
on suspicion of being a spy 

— 2. Lords day I preached A.M: from Joh. 16. 22. and admin- 

istred y* Sacrament and Sir Webster" preached for me in y' 
afternoon from rev. 3. 30. 

— 8. M\ Sergeant and wife came here at night. 

— 9. Lords day I preached A.M: . . . and P.M. M'. Sergeant 

preached for me from psal. 139. 7. 

— II. This day went to New Haven, a prosperous Journey by the 

will of god 

— 12. Commencement at New=Haven. Rector Williams' re- 

signed his post 

— 13. This day spent at New=Haven. 

— 15. This day went to Long Island, arrived at Southold about 

midnight 

— 16. Lords day kept Sabbath at Southold M^ Az. Horton ^ 

preached 



1 Probably Rev. James Campbell who, there is reason to believe, was a friend of Rev. Evan- 
der Morrison, and like him a Scotsman. He was, not far from this time of his preaching for INIr. 
Wadsworth, under great mental depression thinking he had never been converted ; but under the 
persuasions of Whitefield and Tennent came out from his gloom, and preached at various places in 
New Jersey and in South Carolina. He seems to be last mentioned in the records of Orange 
Presbytery in 1780. 

3 Rev. Elisha Webster, b. at West Hartford, Nov. 12, 1713 ; grad. at Y. C. 1738 ; ordained 
Oct. I, 1740, at Canaan. He was an " Old Light" in the divisions attending the Great Awakening 
period and consequently obnoxious to Bellamy and the other New Light leaders in his vicinity, who, 
there is some evidence to suppose, fomented disturbances in his parish resulting in his dismission in 
1746 or 47. He died at Southington Jan. 29, 1788. The title "Sir" applied to him by Mr. Wads- 
worth was a customary designation of a man who had taken his bachelors degree at college ; per- 
haps oftenest applied to those, however, looking to the clerical profession, between their graduation 
and their ordination. 

3 Rev. Elisha Williams, born at Hatfield, Mass., Aug., 1694 ; grad. H. C. 1711 ; engaged 
several years in civil affairs at Wethersfield ; ordained at Newington, Oct. 17, 1722 ; transferred to 
the Rectorship of Y. C. 1726 ; resigned office Sept., 1739 ; resumed duties of civil life ; was judge 
of the Superior Court, colonel of a regiment, etc. 

* Rev. Azariah Horton, born at Southold, L. L, March 20, 1715 : grad. Y. C. 1735 ; preached 
occasionally till 1741, when he was ordained by the Presbytery of New York to labor as a missionary 
among the Indians on the South Shore of L. 1. Subsequently he was settled pastor at Madison, 
New Jersey, and died March 27, 1777. 



1739] WADSWORTH'S DIARY 43 

— 17. This day went to the Marishes,' saw my wifes grandmother 

and other relations 

— 18. This day spent at Marishes 

— 19. This day went to Southampton 

— 21. This day went to Southold. 

— 22. This day came to guilford & from thence to Durham 

— 23. Lords day at Durham M'. Chauncy" preached A.M. . . . 

and P.M. I preached from heb. 11. 16. 

— 24. This day I returned home thro' the good hand of my god 

upon me & found my family well Laus Deo. 

— 25. This day paied to Dan". Brown 31 pound which with 9 

pounds paied by .my wife a few dales ago makes 40 pound. 6 
pound I borrowed of Sister Hooker.' 

— 28. This day is Seven year since my ordination, alas how 

little good I have done, may I be encouraged and strength- 
ened to do more for y^ future. 

— 30. Lords day I preached . . . found some difficulty in 

speaking in y* afternoon tho' not any thing of y* weakness at 
my breast y' I have sometimes bin troubled with 
October Begins. 
Oct. 5. M'. Bull of Westfield here. 

— 6. Jno. Burkitt went from hence — 

— 7. Lords day I preached per totum . . . Wid: Abigail 

Wadsworth admitted to Communion with ye chh. Tho. Welles 
Jun'. made Confession . . . and owned y* Coven*, and 
Tim: his son was baptized. 

— II. This day rec"*. a letter from M^ Prout giving an ace" y' y* 

Govern'' is sick at his house, I pray god to Look upon and heal 
him 

— 14. Lords day M^ Morison preached for me from psal. 4. 3. p^ 

totum cloudy cool weather 

— 19. M'. Welstead and Lady here 

— 21. Lords Day I preached . . . felt nothing of y* weakness 

about my breast y' I have bin in sometime past troubled with. 

— 24. This day some study. Mainly spent in Secular business, 

its a burden to me. This day received a letter from y* 
Govern'. 



' Moriches, a parish in the township of Brookhaven. Mrs. Wadsworth's mother, Madam 
Talcott, was a Howell from Long Island. 

'Rev. Nathaniel Chauneey, born in Hatfield, Mass., Sept. 21, 1681 ; grad. V. C. 1702; 
preached some years at Durham before his ordination Feb. 7, 171 1 ; Fellow of V. C. from 1746 to 
1752 ; preached the Election Sermon, May 14, 1719, and again May 9, 1734 ; an " Old Light " in the 
controversies of his time ; died Feb. i, 1756. 

^ Eunice Talcott wife of Capt. Nathaniel Hooker. 



44 WADSWORTIl'S DIARY 1^739 

— 26. paied Daniel Brown nine pounds in money. 

— 28. Lords day I preached A.M. at y* new chh . . . Laboured 

under considerable difficulty with weakness at my breast. 

— 30. . . . in conversation at M". Coltons he mentioned y' M\ 

Woodbridge ' my predecessor observed y' ministers sons (of a 
liberal education I suppose) seldom prospered in merchandize 
Novemb'. begins. 
Nov. I. M'. Hun from Boston, nil remarkable 

— 2. This day AF. Hun set out for Home 

— 4. Lords day I preached A.M. from Col. 3. 11. and administred 

y* Sacrament and P.M. from psal. 197. 19. 20 

— 8. Day of publick thanksgiving throughout Connecticutt. I 

preached from psal. 48, i. a cool day nil remarkable 

— II. Lords day I preached A.M. . . . P.M. M''. Burr preached 

for me . . . 

— 13. This day went to Windsor to y^ Examination of AP. Jon'*'. 

Marsh in order to his ordination. 

— 14. This day not very profitably spent (S:''. this day I suppose 

is my birth day 

— 15. . . . This day died suddenly Mary Richards 

— 16. This day Study &:=. Mary Richard Literred, very cold 

— 18. Lords day I preached . . . laboured under great diffi- 

culty in speaking by reason of a defluxion, as I suppose, of 
Rheum out of my head upon or into my windpipe 

— 19. This day little study. M"'. White of Bolton here. 

— 22. This day ... at night James Shepherd and Sarah 

Hopkins were Joined in marriage 

— 25. Lords day preached p^ totum from i pet. 4. 3. Laboured 

under some difficulty in y^ afternoon with a tickling in my 
throat, pleasant weather 
December begins. 
Dec. 2. Lords day I preached p^ totum from Zech. 8. 28. 

— 4. Went to Farmington. 

— 5. This day went to New Hartford where M". Jonathan Marsh 

Jun""' was ordained Pastor of y' Town. Rev"*. M''. Whitman of 
Hartford began with prayer, the Rev"* M'. Colton preached 



1 Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, born in the parish of Barford St. Martins in Wiltshire, England; 
baptized Jan. 13, 1656 ; grad. H. C. 1675 ; began to preach in Hartford as early as 1682 ; ordained 
Nov. 18, 1685 ; continued pastor till his death, April 30, 1732, aged seventy-six years and three 
months ; having served the church in a ministerial capacity forty-eight years and eight months. He 
was a Fellow of Y. C. from its original foundation till his death, and a prominent member of the 
Saybrook Synod ; preached the Election Sermon, May 12, 1698. 

* A nte, p. 28, note. 



1740] WADSWO Rill's DIAKV 45 

from I cor. 4. 1. 2. y*^^ Rev'' NK. Wliilniaii of Pariuiii^loii prayed 
and <^avc y^ charge, y" Rev** M'. Marsh of W'iiulsor made y* 
next prayer, and I gave y" right hand of fellowship. 

— 8. . . . this day heard y' brother Matt. Talcot arrived at 

New London y* 5 Instant thanks be to god for it 

— 9. Lords day I preached A.AL at y* N chh , . . I'm in- 

formed y' M^ Jno. Austin Joined to M'. Whitmans chii tiiis 
day 

— 11. . . . heard of y" sudden death of M'. Welsted who died 

ab'. 5 o'clock last night this night y* Com**', of y' Society 
reckoned with me. due to me 40. o. 6. 

— 12. This day went to Middletown to AF. W'elsteds funeral. 

— 16. Lords day I preached A:M. from heb. 12. 9. and P.M. from 

rom. 8. 16. . . . 

— 18. Society meeting at night. M'' Rector Clap here at night, 

but went to Weathersfield 

— 20. This day died y* wife of John Knowles 

— 21. this day paied Daniel Brown ^10. 10' money this day M'. 

W". Reed here 

— 22. this day was decently Interred y* wife of John Knowles 

— 23. Lords day I preached . . . baptized Hannah y* daughter 

of Uan" Butler. This was y'' Last Sabbath I preached in y* 
State House. 

— 24. This day y" Joiners finished our meeting house. 

— 30. Lords Day. Haggai 2. 9. I preached on this text all day. 

this was the first Sabbath wee met in y* New Meeting House.' 
Thanks be to god for y* favour, may we there have much of 
y* presence of Christ to render it truely glorious: from this 
time I began again to number my sermons. 

January begins. 1739/40 

Jany. i. This day went to Symsbury to y' Association 

— 2. This day a lecture at Symsbury I preacht from Jam. i. 21. 

very cold weather 

— 3. Rector Clap here at night. 

— 6. Lords day I preached per totum from i. Kings 18. 21. M'. 

Whitman being sick his people were at our meeting 

— 8. This day study &'. M' Russell of Stepney here &°. 

> This was the only discourse of Mr. Wadsworth's ever printed. It is entitled: " C/trisis 
Presence the Glory of an House of Public k Worship, a Sermottfrom Haggai ii. 9. Preached 
at Hartford., December 30. ijsq. At the Opening of a New Meeting-House:' N. Lond., 1740, 
p. 28. 



46 wadsworth's diary [1740 

— 13. Lords day I preached per totum . . . and administred 

y= Sacrament and baptized Susannah y* daughter of M'. W". 
Keith. 

— 14. This day ... at night at y' House of M^ George 

Wyllys I set my hand as a witness to y* last will of Capt. 
Cyprian Nickols. 

— 16. This day study. M'. Colton here, at night wounded my 

knee 

— 20. Lords day I preached per totum from gen. 6. 3. and bap- 

tized Mary y* daughter of John Turner Jun^ 

— 22. nil remarkable save y* I was very lame and at night in ex- 

treme pain. 

— 23. This day paied Dan". Brown of Infield 60 pounds in money 

on ace" of my 2 bond 

— 24. This day study &^ M^ Marsh of Windsor here. 

— 26. This day study &". nil remarkable occurs save y* I saw y* 

proc: of war with Spain published Oct. 23. 1739. 

— 27. Lords day, being Lame I tarried at home, fair weather 

— 29. This day my people sledded wood for me. 

February. Month begins 
Feby. 2. This day in study. fair weather and severe cold. 
Candlemas 

— 3. Lords day I preached A.M. from Neh. 9. 30 at y^ new chh. 

and P.M. at my own meeting from luk. 12. 21. felt dull and 
indisposition, y^ Lord forgive y* imperfection of my services. 

— 5. This day went to y* East Side to M^ Woodbridge, saw M^ 

Whitefields Sermons' 

— 7. This day study &"=. uncle James here, y^ Councel sat to 

hear N: London &°. 

— 8. This day ... a person comes to object ag'. S: N: own- 

ing the Coven', charges her with slander &°. god direct me 
to a prudent and faithfull discharge of my duty in this affair 

— 9. Y* difficulty ab*. S. N. owning y* Coven', seems to increase. 

I pray god to direct & assist me to discharge my duty faith- 
fully, quiet y* minds of those fierce and wrathful people 

— 10. Lords day I preached A.M. . . . P.M. M'. Morison 

preached for me from Josh. 24. 15. 

— II. This day in y" forenoon had yMiearing of a troublesome 

affair ; may I be directed in y* discharge of my duty in it 



1 The first mention in this Diary of the name of a man whose appearance in Connecticut 
soon after was to be the occasion of consequences seriously affecting not only Mr. Wadsworth's but 
all his ministerial associates' subsequent history. 



1740] wadsworth's diary 47 

— 15. This day in Study, but troubled with the afore mentioned 

controversy. I pray god to help me to see clearly y* way of 
my duty, help me to direct y* parties controverting in yf way 
of y' duty, and help y" to hearken to counsel & submit to my 
direction. 

— 16. This day in Study, more moderate weather, under some 

trouble ag° ab' y" unhappy Controversy &". I thank god y' he 
has given me a streng"* to bear it, I pray y' god would help me 
to give y"' good advice, and y" grace to hearken to it. 

— 17. Lords day M'. Morison preached for me A.M. and ^^. 

Pratt' P.M. . . . y* Lord make y"' useful men. I pray 
god y' y" affair y' has cost me so much trouble in y* week past 
may be comfortably issued, quiet and compose y* minds of y' 
persons in Controversy persuade y™ I pray to submit to Coun- 
cel and advice. 

— 18. . . . Col"'. Morris here with a Commission of Admiralty 

&^ 

— 20. . . , went to Farmington. 

— 21. This day went into y^ woods to view land t^*^ 

— 22. This day returned from Farmington. Again troubled with 

y^ former difficult affair. I pray god to direct and assist me 
in it 

— 23. . . . troubled with y* old quarrel, o y' god wo'd grant 

y* it might be comfortably Issued 

— 24. Lords day I preached . . . S[ . . . ] N[ . . . ] 

made publick confession of y*^ sin of fornication and owned y' 
covenant 

— 27. This day Stafford Com*" here for advice. P.M. visited cS:=. 

I pray God preserve, protect and bless me 

— 28. . . . O y' god in his providence would quiet y* minds 

and inspire peace into y* hearts of such of my people as are 
at variance 

March begins 
Mch. 2. Lords day I preached pr. totum from gen. 2. 3. AP. 
Sam" Talcot' owned y' Covenant and Samuel his son was 
baptized 



» Rev. Peter Pratt, bom at New London July 19, 1716 ; grad. Y. C. 1736 ; ordained at Sharon 
April 30, 1740; dismissed and silenced on account of intemperance, Oct. 13, 1747; died at New- 
London in 1780. 

' Samuel Talcott was Mr. Wadsworth's brother-in-law. He grad. Y. C. 1733 ; a man of public 
spirit ; in 1746 Lt. Col. of a regiment raised for the Canada expedition, and in 1755 Col. of a regi- 
ment raised to go against Crown Point. He died March 6, 1797. 



48 wadsworth's diary [1740 

— Superior Court opened here. M^ Woodbridge ' AP. Marsh & 

M"". Williams here. 

— 5. little remarkable. Cool weather. Courts &' are troublesome 

— 6. Study &". AP. Clap, Steel & Woodbridge here. Snow in y" 

night 

— 7. Study, much interrupted by visitors, visiting &^ cold at 

night 

— 8. . . . heard y' Admiral Vernon had taken Porto Bello 

— 9. Lords day I preached A.M. at M^ Whitmans meeting . . , 

and P.M. at my own . . . baptized Joseph Flagg and 
Sarah Nickols 
10. This day visiting y^ sick . . . M^ White here at night 

— 12. The storm of hail or snow continues all this day also. M^ 

White went from hence in y* morning, M^ Woodbridge here 
at night 

— 13. . . . Stafford advised to Lay y' Case before y^ Asso°. &^ 

— 16. Lords day I preached A:M: from Eccles. 5. i. and P.M: 

from gen: 2: 15. more moderate weather 

— 17. This day visiting y' Sick &". warm weather, broth^ John 

here 

— 18. . . . rec"^. letter fm M''. Woodbridge, wrote letters to 

Mess". W. C. M. & B. to attend the Assoc", next week at W.' 
Broth"" lewis ^ and sister here at night 

— 19. B^ L. went home & Sist^ this day paied M"". Sloan 14. 16. 

o. 10 pound in money, & 4. 16. by his rate 

— 23. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y" Sacra- 

ment . . . baptized Benjamin y* son of Benjamin Richards 

— 24. . . . at night had a severe fit of y' cholick, thanks be 

to god y' has relieved me 

— 25. This day went to y* Assoc", at Windsor . , . M'. Pain* 

and Stafford Com'^^ agreeing, y'' Assoc", advised to a Councel 



1 Rev. Timothy Woodbridge of Simsbury, oldest child of Rev. Timothy Woodbridge of the 
First Church of Hartford, baptized Oct. 3, 1686; grad. H. C. 1706 ; ordained at Simsbury, Nov. 13, 
1712 ; continued in ofTice, with some parish disturbances owing to quarrels about meeting-house 
location and division of the Society, till his death Aug. 28, 1742. He preached the Election Sermon 
May 10, 1739, which does not, however, appear ever to have been printed. He was accounted an 
"Old Light." 

^ Mr. Wadsworth was at this time Scribe of the Association. Rut the probability is that the 
meeting was a meeting of the Standing Committee spoken of ante, p. 25, note, rather than of 
the Association itself, as its records bear no evidence of a meeting at the time specified. The per- 
sons to whom Mr. Wadsworth wrote were Revs. Timothy Woodbridge, Benj. Colton, Jonathan 
Marsh, and Hczekiah Bissell. 

3 Elisha Lewis of Farmington, who married Ruth, Mr. Wadsworth's sister. Ruth was born 
April 14, 1711 ; married April 18, 1739; died Oct. 15, 1776. 

* See J>ost under date of June 12. 



1740I WADSWOKTII'S DIARY 49 

w" is to be Con**, at Stafford on y' 2''. Tuesday in May. re- 
turned home 

— 27. . . . paied 20 pound to (ieo. Pynchon on ace" of Dan". 

Brown 

— 28. . . . this day y' wife of Ricliard Burnham who died yes- 

terday was Interred 

— 30, Lords day I preached . , . Sarah Bidwell made con- 

fession of &". and her child Sarah was baptized. 
April I. April begins with a great shower of snow, it snowed y* 
greater part of the day freemans meeting this day M"". Col- 
ton preached from i Sam. 12. 23. Deputies Capt. Marsh and 
M'. Buckingham. 

— 4. Study &". . . . heard uncomfortable news from Long 

Island with respect to enthusiasm prevailing there among 
some ministers may it be stopt. 

— 6. .Lords day I preached per totum from gen. 4. 3. 4. 5. — bap- 

tized Samuel y* son of Moses Ensign. Cool weather. 

— 8. Uncle W".' & broth" Lewis here: County Court began 

— 9. a publick fast. I preached A: M: from Ezk. 16: 49. and M'. 

Whitman P:M:from Isai. 3: 22: pleasant weather, will god 
accept our fasting. 

— 12. This day . . . M'. Burr of Worcester here, this day 

heard y' Aaron Cadwell died y' 25*'' of feb. last in Barbadoes 

— 13. Lords day I preached: A: M: from rom. 13. 14. at M'. Whit- 

mans meeting and P:M: at my own from gen. 5. 24. o my 
leanness, y* Lord of his infinite mercy direct and keep me 

— 14. This day went to Farmington . . . heard y' M'. Bull 

of Westfield died last Saturday. 

— 15. This day returned from Farmington The Govern', has 

orders from home to Inlist volunteers &'. for y* west Indies 
and to proclaim war with Spain 

— 18. This day . . . y' Kings declaration of war against 

Spain was published " 

— 20. Lords day I preached . . . Stayed y* chh and chose 

Capt. Cook a messenger &^ 



' William Wadsworth, born at Farmington, June aa, 1671 ; Deputy for Farmington, Justice, 
etc.; died 1751. 

' The king's proclamation of war against Spain having been made, the Assembly at its follow- 
ing sessions in May, June, and July made provision for raising troops for an expedition against the 
West Indies. The troops were to be under the general command of Col. Spotswood, till joined by 
the regular troops from Great Britain, the whole then to be under the command of Lord Cathcart. 
They were to be paid by the king ; to share in the booty ; sent back home unless they desired to 
settle elsewhere ; their local officers were to be appointed by the governor and commissioned by the 
king, and live pounds premium was offered for enlistment up to five hundred men. 
7 



50 WADSWORTIi'S DIARY [^740 

— 2 2, This day went to Windsor to y* Councel there, came to no 

conclusion ' &". 

— 23. This day y^ parties decHning to come into such a method 

as y* Councel tho't w'd issue y* controversy, nothing done 
&°. y' by advice &". y* matter hopefully accomodated, returned 
home 

— 27, Lords day I preached A:M: & P.M: from gen. 6. 11. 12. 13. 

warm weather, nil remarkable occurs. 

— 30. This day reading, visiting &". went to Weathersfield &^ 

heard y' M'. Whitefield is arrived at New York. 
May begins 
May I. This day study &'. Cool windy weather 

— 4. Lords day I preached pr totum from Hosea 10. 12. — warm 

pleasant weather tho' something cloudy 

— 8. This day election. Gov. & Dep: Govern', as in y^ year past. 

3 new assistants viz. M"'. Fitch, Trumble and Huntington 
remarkably cold weather 

— II. Lords day M^ Webster preached for me A: M: from Eccles. 

8. 8. and M^ Morison P.M: from luk. 12. 5. 

— 14. Some Study, visiting, visited &". the trustees here 

— 15. Study &^ little remarkable 

— 16. This day study &°. nil remarkable occurreth 

— 17. This day study &". nil remarkable 

— 22. This day study &^ nil remarkable rec"^ 7 pounds money 

of uncle James for books &''. 

— 25. Lords day I preached A:M. at y* new chh. from heb. 11, 



' A further stage of the East Windsor difficulty. Mr. Edwards had refused to abide by the 
acquittal of Mr. Diggins by the church (ante, p. 37, note), and declined to accord to him the privi- 
lege of seeking church fellowship elsewhere as recommended by the last Council. Mr. Diggins, 
therefore, made formal charges of maladministration against the pastor. The pastor called a 
Council. To this council the church propounded four questions for advice : 

1. Concerning the pastor's power to appoint the messengers of the church. 

2. Concerning the pastor's power to negative the action of the church. 

3. Concerning the pastor's power to determine what complaints should come before the 
church. 4. The case of Joseplf Diggins. 

The first three of these questions went to the root of the Windsor difficulties, but the Council 
declined to consider them at all, though professing willingness to give advice on the Diggins' case 
only. Meantime the strained relations of the church and pastor had been such that for nearly 
three years no Lord's Supper had been administered. The advice of the present Council, thus 
limited, was apparently of little consequence. 

As to the future progress of the controversy, it appears that Mr. Diggins, at the importunity 
of his brethren, withdrew his complaint against Mr. Edwards; and on Aug. 11, 1741, eighteen of 
the leading men of the church addressed Mr. Edwards a letter, regretting that the Council had 
not given them the advice they asked ; deploring the opposition of opinion betvs'een pastor and peo- 
ple on questions of church order, but asking, nevertheless, that the Lord's Supper might be admin- 
istered. The pastor acceded to the request and "propounded the Sacrament"; the disturbed 
condition of things manifested itself in various ways, however, for several years to come. 



1740I WADSwriRrn's diary 51 

16. and P.M. from Tit. 2. 14 at my own Laboured under 
weakness & difficulty of speaking. 

— 26. This day study, visiting iv*. a cliild of Joseph I'.arnards 

buried. 

— 28. . . . paied to M'. Sloan /^i6. i'. 7'' due to ballance. 

— 29. This day received a letter from the Rev''. M'. Field Sylves- 

ter Wadsworth ' at P>urton in England datetl l*'eby. 11. 

1739/40. 

June Begins 
June I. Lords day I preached A.M: from tit. 2. 14. and P.M: from 
heb: 13. 6. y* general assembly and South Society present 

— 3. This day Assoc", met at M^ Coltons nil remarkable occurs. 

— 4. This day a lecture at West Hartford M'. White preached 

from Joh. 4. 19. 

— 5. This day y" general Assembly adjourned without day. 

Gideon Merrills and Mary Biggelow married at night 

— 8. Lords day I preached per totum from prov. 22. 6. Laboured 

under great difficulty in speaking 

— 9. This day went to Toland. 

— 10. This day to Stafford to a Councel M'. Edwards chose 

moderator 

— II. This day in Councel at Stafford, uncomfortable 

— 12. This day in y* same, y* articles of Complaint ag*. M'. Pain 

not found y* Councel advised M'. Pain to resign his office, he 
consents.' 

— 15. Lords day I preached A:M: from heb. 9. 14. at my own 

meeting and administred y* Sacrament and P.M: at >P. Whit- 
mans meeting from Jam. i. 21. 

— 18. Lecture this day at M'. Woodbridges meeting &=. M'. Ed- 



1 Rev. Field Sylvester Wadsworth was a dissenting minister who about this time became an 
assistant to his father, Rev. John Wadsworth, in care of a " chapel " in Sheffield, Yorkshire. A Mr, 
Field Sylvester had in 1700 laid the " first stone " in the foundation of the Chapel, and Mr. John 
Wadsworth, who married Mr. Sylvester's daughter Rebecca, became its minister in 1714 (succeed- 
ing Rev. Timothy JoUic) and continued in its charge till 1744. Rev. Field Sylvester Wadsworth, 
who obviously got his name from his maternal grandfather, became associated with his father in 
1740, and remained after him till 1758. The Chapel is now Unitarian. 

' The Stafford Church and Society had been some time in discord with their minister. Rev. 
Seth Payne. Mr. Payne was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, Jan. 16, 1701-2. He grad. V. C. 
1726, and was ordained at Stafford Aug. 7, 1734. Difficulties soon arose and grave charges were 
brought against him. The Council which met as above did not find the charges sustained, but, as 
is seen, advised his resignation. He took the advice and resigned July 24th, but continued to reside 
in Stafford. He tried to collect arrearages of salary by legislative aid, but failed. In 1745 he 
became Episcopalian and offered to go to England for Orders if the Society for Propagating the 
Gospel would send him. The encouragement appears not to have been afforded. He is supposed 
to have died in Stafford early in 1753. 



52 wadsworth's diary [1740 

wards preached from psal. 119. 59. heard y' Broth'. Matt is 
arrived at N. London & y* Col"'. Spotswood' is dead at Amboy 

— 19. . . . M''. Nott, parsons^ and gaylord ' here. Bettys 

birth day 

— 22. Lords day I preached . . . Laboured under consider- 

able difficulty in y^ afternoon thro' faintness and weakness 

— 23. . . . nil remarkable. Uncle James here this day. 

— 26. . . . an Express with fuller news relating to y*' Expedi- 

tion &". Moses Griswold «& Mary Nickols married. 

— 29. Lords day I preached . . . baptized Dick a negro boy 

of Capt. Nickols, had a Contribution &^ 
July begins 
July 4. This day in study, nil remarkable occurs. 

— 5. This day in study, nil remarkable 

— 6. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Simeon y* Son 

of Sam". Graham and Susannah y^ daughter of Mercy Gilbert 

— 8. This day catechising &". y* General assembly of y* Colony 

met here this day. 

— II. This day Study &^ nil remarkable, the general assembly 

broke up. 

— 12. . . . y* British lieutenants arrived in y^ forenoon* 

— 13. Lords day I preached A:M: for M'. Whitman and M'. Mor- 

ison for me. & P:M: at my own meeting 

— 20. Lords day I preached A:M: . . . and M^ Morison 

from rom. 2. 4. 5. & baptized his brothers child. ^ 

— 24. . . . M"". Eastabrook ° here 

— 27. Lords day I preached A:M from phil. 3. 13. 14 and P.M: 

from Col. I. 13. Laboured under . . . 



1 See ante, p. 49, note. 

"^ Rev. Jonathan Parsons of Lyme ; born at West Springfield, Mass., Nov. 30, 1705 ; grad. Y. 
C. 1729 ; ordained at Lyme, March 17, 1730-31. At his settlement he was an ardent Arminian, but 
became, as he thought, converted under Mr. Whitefield's preaching in 1740, and followed in a like 
itinerating course of evangelizing effort. Difficulties arose in his congregation and he was dismissed 
in October, 1745. In March, 1746, he was installed pastor of a Presbyterian church in Newbury- 
port, Mass. He published many sermons, among which was one on the death of Rev. George 
Whitefield, an event which took place at Mr. Parsons' house in Newburyport in September, 1770. 
He was a devout and earnest man, though somewhat hasty in temper. He was one of the most 
active laborers in the Great Awakening period. His death was on July 19, 1776. 

' Rev. William Gaylord of Wilton ; born at West Hartford, Nov. 29, 1709 ; grad. Y. C. 1730; 
ordained at Wilton, Feb. 14, 1732-3. He was an earnest " New Light " ; a man of kindly spirit, 
and died in office Jan. 2, 1767. 

* Assisting in raising and drilling troops for the Spanish expedition. 
6 Jennet, daughter of Dr. Norman Morrison. 

• Rev. Hobart Estabrook then preaching as a candidate in Salisbury, Mansfield, and else- 
where. He was born at Canterbury, Dec. 17, 1716 ; grad. Y. C. 1736; licensed to preach May 16, 
1738; ordained at Millington Nov. 20, 1745 ; died there in office Jan. 28, 1766, a;. 49. 



1740I wadswokth's diakv 53 

— 29. This day nil remarkable. Jno. y° son of Ilez. Collier dicil. 

M'. White and Lockwood here. 

— 30. . . . our child Eunice sick and hath bin for some daies 

with y* measles. 

— 31. This day Study but little, visits reC*. c\:'. M^ T. Wood- 

bridge of Hatfield, and M'. Jno. Woodbridge of Sutt. a pleas- 
ant and refreshing shower at night. 
August 
Aug. I . . . part of the afternoon spent in prayer with Capt. 
Seymour 

— 3. Lords day I preached . . . P.M. from 2 cor: 13. 5. at 

M'. Whitmans meeting. Rebecca y* daughter of Klisha Pratt 
was baptized p'. M'. Whitman 

— 4. This day no study. Visiting &•=. uncle Thomas here 

— 8. this day the soldyers y are going upon the expedition into 

y"" Spanish West Indies went from this Town in order to go to 
New=Haven where y are to embark 

— 10. Lords day I preached from rom. 12. 12. pr totum. Edward 

Cadwell Jun^ owned y Coven*. 

— 13. . . . 2 of our children sick with y measles, I pray god 

heal'm 

— 17. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y* Sacra- 

ment, baptized Ruth y* daughter of Edward Cadwell Jun'. 

— 18. Capt. Newberry' set out for New=Haven in order to em- 

bark for y* west Indies 

— 19. This day went to Farmington, my uncle Hez." very ill. 

— 23. This day y* muster master Pitcher came to Town, at 

night died y' aged M".Hamlin 

— 24. Lords day I preached AM: from gen. 3. 19. at y* new 

meeting and P.M. at my own from luk. 24. 34 and baptized 
Timothy y' son of Caleb Spencer 

— 25. . . . M". Hamlin Interred 

— 27. This day went to Farmington. My uncle Hez. something 

better &=. 

— 28. This day went over y* River, about an affair not very 

comfortable 



> Capt. Roger Newbury of Windsor, born June 4, 1706; grad. V. C. 1726: Deputy in General 
Assembly eleven sessions ; commanded one of the Connecticut companies in the West Indian ex- 
pedition ; present at the repulse of Admiral Vernon at Carthagena in April, 1741 ; died on the return 
voyage May 6th of the same year. 

* Hezckiah Wadsworlh of Farmington, bom Dec. 18, 1682, died unmarried Oct. 20, 1740. The 
dates of the birth of Mr. Wadsworth's brothers mentioned in these notes are from a memorandum 
in Mr. Wadsworth's handwriting; they differ to some extent from those found in the " Wadsworth 
Genealogy." 



54 wadsworth's diary [1740 

— 30. this day died Capt. Thomas Seymour 72, . . . died 

also a child of Edward Cadwell Jun^ 

— 31. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Peter and 

Bilhah servants of Capt. Jos: Cook. Capt. Seymour Interred 
September begins 
Sept. 3. Study &:^ M'. Hobart cS; wife here to-day nil remarkable 

— 4. Study. Went to Court to give an Evidence iS:"". nil remark- 

able, save y' this day heard y' Lord Cathcart Sailed &^ on the 
26. of July last 

— 7. Lords day I preached from 2 Cor. 6. 18. p^ totum rainy 

weather 

— 8. this day went to New-Haven, a comfortable Journey. Laus 

Deo. 

— 10. Commencement at New-Haven 21 Batchellors commenced. 

about 13 or 14 masters the first commencement y* Rector Clap 
presided. 

— II. This day returned home found my family well, Laus Deo. 

— 14. Lords day I preached A: M: at y* new meeting . . . & 

P.M: . . . at my own. Laboured under . . . 

— 16. This day went to Farmington. My uncle Hez: not well. 

— 18. This day . . . y^ widow Steel Interred. 

— 19. This day . . . went to Farmington to see my uncle Hez. 

— 21. Lords day I preached . . . baptized Jerusha y* daughter 

of Daniel Spencer 

— 24. This day went to Farmington, my uncle Hez. something 

better 

— 28. Lords day I preached A: M. from tit. 2. 14. at y* new meet- 

ing and P.M: at my own from 2 cor. 4 18. nil remarkable 

— 30. Visiting &". reading. M^ Flaggs House raised. 

October begins 
Oct. I. M'. Hobart &' here from Boston. Burr also. Joseph 
Barnard died aged 86 or 89 as they inform me 

— 2. This day . . . M'. Whitman married ' 

— 3. Some pious and refreshing conversation this day with B. 

and L. 

— 5. Lords day I preached . . . cool weather and something 

rainy 



1 Rev. Mr. Whitman married Abigail Stanley, daughter of Col. Nathaniel Stanley, Jr., son 
of Nathaniel Stanley, a man of distinction in Hartford affairs. Her grandmother was Anna Whit- 
ing, daughter of Rev. John Whiting, fourth pastor of the First Church and first pastor of the 
Second in Hartford. 



I740I WADSWOKIIl's DIAKV 55 

— 6. Saw a copy of letter from Roland to Noble, givinj;^ an ac- 

count of wonders wro't by his preaching ^i". but alas w* are y'. 

— 7. This day y* association met at my Mouse, discussed various 

matters &" 

— 8. association Lecture here M'. Whitman of V: preached from 

gen. 3. 8. 9. a good sermon. 

— 9. This day in business &". Conversation writt iV. how 

lamentable it is that y" ministry is grown into such Contempt. 
What are y* reasons of it ? W*. are y* meanes by w". y*. honour 
of it may be recovered ' 

— II. This day in study, at night received a letter from 1). Col- 

man concerning M'. Whitefield, and ^I^ Smiths ' sermon on his 
character, preaching &". 

— 12. Lords day I preached and administred y* Sacrament . . . 

and P.M: at M'. Whitmans meeting from act. 3. 22 

— 13. Writt a letter to send to Doctor Doddridge. 

— 15. This day went to Farmington, my uncle Hez: much worse. 

— 16. Came from Farmington left my uncle Hez.- in a weak low 

state may god Look upon and save him 

— 18. This day in Study, o that I might be more inflamed with 

y* love of god and a more ardent desire after y* Salvation of 
Souls 

— 19. Lords day I preached p'. totum ... at Evening Comes 

the Sorrowfull news y' uncle Hez. is not likely to Live till 
morning, he died between 12 and one in y* 58"' year of his 
age, may this providence be sanctified to me 

— 21. This day went to Farmington, my uncle Hez: Interred, a 

sorrowfull day: at night y' famous M'. Whitefield came to 
Town.' 



* Apparently the "decay of the pulpit " was a theme which troubled people in 1740 as much 
as in i8<)o and probably with about as much reason. 

* Rev. Josiah Smith, born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1704 ; grad. H. C. 1725 ; ordained 
at Uoston July 11, 1726, but performed his ministerial service mainly in liermuda and Charleston. 
When Mr. Whitefield was denied admission to the Episcopal pulpits in Charleston Mr. Smith pub- 
lished the sermon above referred to on the " Character, Preaching, etc., of the Rev. George White- 
field impartially represented and supported," 1740. Mr. Smith died in Philadelphia in October, 
1781. 

* Rev. George Whitefield, having completed a preaching tour through the Middle and 
Southern Colonies, arrived at Newport on Sept. 4th. He preached at Hoston with triumphant suc- 
cess. He held meetings on the Common, and in the adjacent region about Hoston as far as Marble- 
head ; sometimes as many as twelve or si.\teen a week. No such prostration of a community before 
one man, and he a gospel preacher of twenty-five years of age, has ever beside been known in New 
England. leaving Hoston Monday, October 13th, " kissed" by Governor Helcher. whom he left 
biithed in tears, he preached his way from point to point in Massachusetts, till, on l-'riday, October 
17th, he reached Northampton. Sunday evening he left Nurthampton accompanied by Jnnathan 
Edwards who attended him as far as East Windsor to the house of Jonathan's father, Rev. 



56 WADSWORTIl'S DIARY [ 1 74° 

— 22. This day M'. Whitefield preached in y* forenoon to a vast 

Concourse of people here from rom. 14. 17 verse, and in y* 
afternoon at Weathersfield from 2 Cor. 5. lat: part of y' 14. 
verse, old things are past away &". w' to think of y* man 
and his Itinerant preachings I scarcely know: y' things w" I 
know not I pray god to teach me, wherein I am in error I pray 
god to discover it to me, wherein I have embraced y* truth I 
pray god y* I might hold it fast to y* end. 

— 23. This day thoughtfull ' &". I would pray y' I might be 

saved from mistakes and be directed in y* way of truth. 

— 24. This day . . . rec**. a letter from my uncle James at 

New Haven. 

— 26. Lords day I preached A:M: from i pet. i. 6: and P.M: 

from Eph. 5. 14. I pray god to bless y* word y' I have spoken 
o y' some one at least might be awakened and some edified 
by it. 

— 27. Writt a letter to &^ visited sick, had some edifying Con- 

versation with two ministers at my house. , . . O Lord 
show unto me y* way of truth 

— 30. Study &". great are my perplexities and troubles o y' god 

would appear for my help and fulfill his good word unto me 
on w" he has caused me to hope 
Nov. 1740 

Timothy. On the way Mr. Edwards cautioned Mr. Whitefield about his habit of declaiming 
against the ministers who did not at once fall into line with his methods as unconverted men ; a 
caution which Mr. Edwards thought was rather unfavorably received. He preached on the way 
from Northampton on Monday at Westfield and Springfield, Mass.; on Tuesday at Suffield and at 
East Windsor. On Wednesday, Oct. 22d, he was at Hartford and Wethersfield. From Wethers- 
field he went via Middletown and Wallingford to New Haven, preaching at each place by the way. 
Thence after holding several services at New Haven, he departed, preaching as he went, through 
Milford, Stratford, Fairfield, and Norwalk to Rye and New York. 

' It is not strange (quite aside from any questions of ecclesiastical order or of religious 
methods) that Mr. Wadsworth and all the other ministers should have been made "thoughtfull" 
by such an apparition among them as George Whitefield. The ministers of New England at the 
period, with very few exceptions, preached from closely written manuscripts, which must generally 
have been held in the hand, and often close to the eyes, and with few or no graces of manner or 
elocution. Here suddenly appeared among them a man whom nature had endowed with some of 
the greatest gifts of an orator ; a splendid physique, a marvelous voice, a vivid dramatic power, 
and one who seemed to pour forth his torrent of seemingly unpremeditated speech without fatigue 
or study. It was a novel experience to listen to such a man. New England congregations had 
never heard the like ; New England ministers were startled by the phenomenon. Most of the 
accounts present the picture of a man who at any time and anywhere would have commanded 
applauding crowds. Yet it is but fair to say there was, certainly, another side to the picture. Aside 
from his censoriousness, his uncharitableness in judging men as good as himself as " unconverted ", 
his overweening confidence in his own ability to know the mind of the Lord and the Lord's judg- 
ment respecting men, there were, sometimes at least, drawbacks to the worthiness of his style of 
speech, even as a Christian orator, which have been often too entirely forgotten in the general 
acclaim which accompanied and has followed him. Rev. Jonathan Mayhew of I'oston (a certainly 
competent though doubtless not a sympathetic critic) said " 1 heard him [Whitefield] once, and it 
was as low, confused, puerile, conceited, ill-natured, enthusiastic a performance as I ever heard.'' 



1740I WADSWORTIl'S DIAKV 5/ 

Nov. I. . . . y* Gov: returned from New-Haven, rec**. a letter 
from my uncle James. Another from Thomas Wadsworth of 
Long buckby. blessed be y* Lord for all Instances of his 
favour to me 

— 2. Lords day I preached per totum from Ezek. 38: 11. 

Laboured under considerable difficulty in speaking. 

— 3. This day not well this day died Richard Lord of 

Weathersfield 

— 5. This day a publick Thanksgiving throughout Connecticutt. 

preached from phil. 3. i. at night married James Bicknel of 
Ashford and Deborah Cook of Hartford 

— 9. Lords day I preached A:M. at the N: M: from 2 thes. 2. 14. 

and P.M. M'. Morison preached for me from numb. 22. 6. 

— 12. This day returned from Farmington found my family well 

Laus Deo. how Good art thou o God and how gracious, y' 
Councel sat in this Town 

— 13. . . M'. Beauchamp died this day 

— 14. This day Study. . . . this I suppose is my birth, o 

monument of mercies has god spared me thus long w' 

little fruit have I borne 

— 15. This day study &^ M'. John Beauchamp, who died y' 13"' 

Instant was this day interred 

— 16. Lords day I preached pr. totum from Luk 15. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 

cold weather nil remarkable 

— 23. Lords day I preached A: M: from luk. 15. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. and 

P.M. from luk. 14. 11. 18 . . . o y' God would bless his 
word tho' sown in much weakness 

— 24. rainy weather, this day interred a daughter of Daniel 

Bunce w'' died on Saturday Last 

— 25. This day in visiting y* sick ^!v:^ John Shepherd had a son 

born, her safe delivery apprehended an immediate answer to 
prayer, may my faith be strengthened 

— 26. . . . y' general assembly met here, little done 

— 28. . . . nil remarkable occurs. Saving y' there is a very 

great flood of y* great river, rarely one so big in y* Spring 

— 30. Lords day I preached A:M: . . . and P.M. M'. Mori- 

son preached for me ... I spake with more ease and feel 
better in health to day than I have done upon y* Sabbath for 
some time 

December 1740 
Dec. 3. Study (S:^ M'. Whitefields Journal (!v: Sermons read to day. 

8 



58 wadsworth's diary [1740 

a great flood, bigger than has bin for 30 years past y* General 
assembly adjourned. 

— 7. Lords day I preached ... a very rainy tempestuous 

day 

— 8. This day reading tS:''. Whitefields Sermons, Laws Christian 

perfection. 

— 9. This day went to paquannack to y* ordination there 

— 10. M'. Tudor' ordained, y^ Rev^ M'. Marsh of Windsor 

preached from Eccles. 12:4 The Rev''. M^ Edwards prayed 
cS>: gave y* Charge y* Rev''. M'. Colton made y* next prayer and 
y' Rev''. M'. Whitman of Hartford gave y* Right hand of 
fellowship. 

— II. This day returned home, cold weather, found my family 

well Laus Deo Dealt with a friend for his fault, o y' god 
would convince & reform him 

— 12. Uncle James here to-day. 

— 14. Lords day I preached pr totum from i Joh 2. 15. a very 

cold day. 

— 16. Uncle Thomas here at night. Snowy at night. 

— 18. Uncle Thomas went from hence in y* afternoon: 2:45. "^'^Y 

he have a prosperous Journey home. 

— 21. Lords day preached and administred y* Sacrament. , . . 

Laboured under great difficulty in speaking, o y' god would 
appear for my help and give me health 

— 23. . . . finished a letter to Thomas Wadsworth at Long- 

buckby 

— 24. This day visiting y^ sick &". a refreshing Conversation in 

y* evening with one of my people 

— 25. Went to Weathersfield &°. nil remarkable, save y' Isabel 

Spencer departed this life 

— 26. Isabel Spencer Interred in y* evening. Study. 

— 28. Lords day I preached A.M: at the new meeting from i Joh. 

3. 9. & P.M. from heb. 9. 27. at my own meeting 

— 29. This day visitingy' sick &". Conversation with a zealous &\ 

— 31. Met with the famous M'. Whitefields life and read it. but 

what is it. 



' Rev. Samuel Tudor, born in Windsor INIarch 8, 1704-5 ; grad. Y. C. 1728 ; preached awhile 
in Goshen, N. Y., then in Guilford, and was ordained as above Dec. 10, 1740, at Poquonock Society 
in the northwestern part of Windsor from which Rev. John Woodbridge had lately gone. He died 
Sept. 21, 1757. 



I741] WADSWORTIl'S DIARY 59 

January begins. [1741J 
Jany. i. . . . a new year begins may I be more invigorated 
with the principles of a new life 

— 4. Lords day preached per totum from rom. 10. 3. y' wife of 

Nath". Goodwin Interred 

— 6. This day my people sledded wood for me, very cold weather 

— II. Lords day I preached A.M: & P.M. from rom. 10. 21. felt 

dull and heavy and indisposed in y* forenoon, better afternoon, 
pray god to bless what was spoken agreeable to his will 
^ 14. Returned from Farmington, found my family safe Laus 
Deo. visited y* aged Wid. Phelps 

— 18. Lords day preached per totum from Ezek. 18. 31. Laboured 

under . . . 

— 2 1. This day reading, visiting &'. at night went to a religious 

meeting where I found myself greatly refreshed ' 

— 22. Study &°. a lecture in y* afternoon at M'. AMiitmans meet- 

ing, he preached from 2. pet. 3. 18. 

— 24. This day in Study, finished my preparations before night. 

a great Comfort to be seasonably prepared for the Sabbath, I 
pray god I may always be so. 

— 25. Lords day I preached per totum from rom. 13: II. Laboured 

under . . 

— 26. This day reading Evans on y* christian temper ^c*". &^ 

Snowy stormy day 

— 28. . . . Nabbys birth day. Laus Deo. 

— 31. Certain news of y* arrival of Lord Cathcart with English 

fleet at the West Indies 
Febraary begins 
Feby. I. Lords day I preached . . . went thro' my work with 
great difficulty 

— 3. This day Stormy, no association met according to appoint- 

ment . . . 

— 4. Lecture M'. Whitman preached from heb. 4. 13. very cold, 

I was forced to leave the meeting house by reason of great 
pain &^ 

— 7. This day indisposed, heard y' Lord Cathcart is dead^* 



> See Mr. Wadsworth's statement about the orij^nn of these meetings later under date of May 
31. They appear to have been neighborhood gatherings for conference and prayer. See i8th of Feb- 
ruary following, et seq. 

» Lord Cathcart died Dec. 20, 1740. His death was probably a turning point in the fortunes 
of what proved to be a most disastrous and humiliating expedition from whifli scarce one in ten 
came home alive. 



6o wadsworth's diary [174 1 

— 8. Lords day not able to go out M'. Whitman preached for me 

A: M. and M^ Morison P.M. 

— 9. The Emperor of Germany and Zarina of Muscovy both died 

in Octob'. Last 

— 10. This day writing &^ M^ Russel here, yesterday y' Gov- 

ernour rec**. a letter from Admiral Vernon. 

— 12. This day cold, better as to my indisposition, o y* god 

would direct me in y* difficulties in my work, and especially in 
directing dark and wandering Souls 

— 13. o Lord have mercy upon me in how much darkness and 

difficulty have I spent this day, Send forth y' light and help of 
thy holy Spirit into my heart 

— 14. This day in study, better in health of body and I hope 

something better in mind. . . . this or y'' night following 
'dreamt y* I saw Capt. N-b-r-y unhappy 

— 15. Lords day M' Newel' preached A.M. . . . and P.M. I 

preached myself from Eph. 4. i. and thank god that enabled 
me to preach with so much ease and freedom. 

— 17. This day visited and discoursed a poor mulatto who seemed 

to be Concerned 

— 18. This day not well ; some edifying Conversation, present in 

y^ evening at John Shepherds at y' religious meeting there. 

— 19. Nil remarkable occurs, y^ Govern', rec^ Letters from y' 

D. of New Castle and from y* Adm'^. board 

— 22. Lords day preached A: M: at M'. Whitmans meeting . . . 

and P.M. from Isai. 55. 3. at my own. . . . 

— 23. This day ... nil remarkable occurs. Saving y^ lament- 

able story of El: Sh: being delivered of a child, lays it to M'. 
M. o times, o manners 

— 26. This day Consulting &". about y* lamentable case of M'. M: 

in y^ afternoon a lecture M^ Whitman of Farmington preached 
. . . at night I married Richard Seymour and Elizabeth 
Wadsworth 

March begins. 
Mch. I. Lords day I preached per totum from Jam. 48. and ad- 



1 Rev, Samuel Newell, born in Farmington (Soiithington district) March i, 1714 ; grad. Y. C. 
1739 ; just at this date studying theology and probably licensed. His preaching at this time and 
point of experience at Mr. Wadsworth's church is one instance among many discoverable in these 
notes of Mr. Wadsworth's habit of availing himself of the services of very young ministers ; perhaps 
for their encouragement as well as for his own need. Mr. Newell was preaching in East Hartford 
a few months latery;han this, but was not ordained till Aug. 12, 1747, at New Cambridge (now 
Bristol) where he continued in the pastorate till his death Feb. 10, 1789. He was a " New Light" 
in his period. 



I741J WADSWORTII'S DIAKV 6l 

ministred y' Sacrament went thro' my work with great 
difficulty . . 

— 2. This day . . . dreamt at night I saw S. (). from y* West 

Indies, runaway c\:". 

— 4. This day ... in y" afternoon went to visit M'. Wood- 

bridge, found Iiim hopefully mending 

— 5. This day . . . went to Weathersfield to a lecture, M'. 

Backus preached from Col. i. 19. 

— 8. Lords day I preached from rom. 13. 12. per totum, baptized 

Elizabeth daughter of M^ Sam". Talcot 

— 9. This day drew a proclamation for a fast,' visited &". 

— II. This day kept a fast I preached A:M. from Joel i. 18. 19 

. . . and ]\r. Whitman P.M. . . . o y Ciod would hear 
our cry and relieve us 

— 12. . . . M^ Pomroy' preached from luk. n at AP. Whit- 

mans meeting, this day I paied Dan". Brown 56 pounds in 
money on ace", of my bond and Jos: Skinner j^$ for wheat 

— 15. Lords day I preached A:M: ... at ^P. Whitmans 

meeting and P.M: ... at my own. Laboured under 

— 19. This day Study ^v:^ cool weather what is to come I 

know not 

— 20. Study, under great perplexity, o y* god would direct me 

to a text for tomorrow 

— 22. Lords day I preached A:M. from John 6. 44 and P.ISL from 

Eph. 5. 6. Abig: (Iraham made Confession ... & owned 
y* Covenant 

— 24. This day study &^ preached at night at a young mens 

meeting at Madam Woodbridges.' 

— 25. This day . . . some young people here to discourse 

about y* great affairs of y"" Souls 

— 26. paied ^S. 10'. o to Daniell Brown indorsed it on y* bond. 



1 Doubtless the proclamation for the Public Fast issued by his fathcr-in-Iaw, the Governor, 
and obser\-ed on the 8th of April following. The fast spoken of on March 9th (the day after this 
entry) was plainly a local one, obser\ed by the churches uniting in it of their own motion, as was 
a not unfrequent custom at the period. 

» Rev. Benjamin Pomroy, bom in SuflReld, Nov. 19, 1704 ; grad. V. C. 1733 ; ordained at 
Hebron, Dec. t6, 1735. .'\n active sympathizer with Whitefield and the new measures; according 
to Rev. Absalom Peters "a most thundering preacher of the new light order" ; one of the trustees 
of Dartmouth College, from which institution he received the degree of D. D. in 1774. He died at 
Hebron Dec. 22, 1784, aged 80 years. There will be occasion to refer to him hereafter. 

5 This meeting of " young men " at the house of the widow of the old pastor indicates a form 
of religious effort not as modern as some have supposed; as will also a "boys" meeting to be 
noticed a little later. 



62 wadsworth's diary [174 1 

Parmenas King received it. at night preached at M"^. Churches 
from I. King: 18: 21. y* great river continues froze. Yester- 
day horses passed over on y*" Ice and this day men passed over 
on foot. 

— 27. . . . John Andrews died. 

— 28. This day Study &". M'. Lamb ' here in y^ afternoon. John 

Andrews Interred at night 

— 29. Lords day M'. Lamb preached A.M. from Joh. 7. 37 and 

P.M. from act. 10. 43. pleasant weather 

— 31. This day little done, how heavily do I drive, o y' god 

would give me health, strength &*=. 
April begins 
Apl. I. This day little study. M'. Brainard" here, preached at 
night at a meeting at y* State House 

— 2. ... a lecture y* afternoon at M'. Whitmans Meeting 

house. M"'. Lockwood preached from psal. 119. 60. 

— 3. This day indisposed &^ at night privately discoursed and 

reproved T. T. for his Intemperance, hope and pray y' it may 
be to good effect. 

— 5. Lords day M'. Burr of Worcester preached for me. . . . 

P.M. I preached for M'. Whitman. . . . This day admin- 
istred y^ Sacrament and Richard Goodman, Diostheus 
Humphrys, Samuel Andrews, Mary Butler, Dorothy Skinner, 
Hannah Skinner, Hannah Shepherd and Sarah Shepherd were 
admitted to full Communion with y^ chh. 

— 6. Little Study, at night spent some time at a meeting of 

little boys, prayed with y", and read a discourse to y"" from 
those words in 2 Epist. Joh. 4. they behaved with reverence 
and decency 

— 8. a day of publick fasting & prayer, A:M: I preached from 

Jer. 5. 25. and M^ Whitman P:M: from Joel 2. 12. 13 

— 9 nil remarkable save a Story y' Admiral Vernon 

has destroyed 16 frenchmen of war. . 

— 12, Lords day I preached p''. totum from Joh: 6. 44. Laboured 

under . . . Susanna Gross & Abigail Benton owned 3'' 
Covenant 



> Rev. Joseph Lamb, born in Stonington, Conn., about 1790; grad. Y. C. 1717 ; ordained 
Dec. 6, 1717, at Mattituck, L. I.; began to preach in the Fourth Church in Guilford in 1735 ; went 
thence to New Jersey ; died at Barking Ridge in that State July 2S, 1749. A trustee of the College 
of New Jersey and Moderator of the Synod of New York in 1748. 

* Rev. Nehemiah Brainard of Eastbury in Glastonbury ; an older brother of Rev. David 
Brainard the missionary ; born at Haddam Feb. 20, 1712 ; grad. Y. C. 1732 ; ordained at Eastbury 
Jan. 23, 1740; died Nov. 9, 1742. An earnest " New Light." 



I74I] wadsworth's diary 63 

— 13. This day freenians mcelinj;. M\ Whitman preached from 

rom. 13. T,. and Ca|)t. Marsh and ('apt. Jos: Pitkin were 
Chosen l)ci)uties. 

— 15. This day under j^reat concern for a poor friend, at ni^ht 

M'. Edwards' of Northampton preached a lecture at M'. Whit- 
mans meeting from Matt. 11:12 

— 16. . . . M^ Whitman preached a lecture at ni^dit at my 

meeting from Isai. 

— iS. This day Study, light on M'. Whitefields Journal of his 

progress in New=England &"•. Scarcely yet know w'. to think 
of y' man I pray God to direct me in y'' way of my duty 

— 19. Eords day preached A.M. for M". Whitman . . and 

P.M. from rom. 10. 3. Laboured under great difficulty in 
speaking by reason of a Cough . . . 

— 21. . . . M". Meacham' of Coventry here, high water a 

flood. 

— 22. This day went to Wintonbury (Jvi"^ at night a lecture M'. 

Meacham preached from psal. no. 3 

— 23. This day visited a sick person &"=. met with some trouble 

from over hot [illegible] o god Direct me. . . . ^P. Whee- 
lock' preached at night from act. 7. 51 



' Rev. Jonathan Edwards, <;i)n of Kev. Timothy of Kast Windsor, and grandson of Richard 
Kdwards of the First Church of Hartford. Born at East Windsor Oct. 5, 1703 ; grad. V. C. 1720 ; 
declined calls to North Haven and Bolton ; ordained at Northampton Feb. 15, 1726-7 ; dismissed in 
June, 1750; removed to Stockbridge in 1751 ; chosen President of the College of New Jersey in 
1757; inaugurated to that office Feb. 16, 1758; died of inoculation for small-pox March 22, 1758. 
" The most eminent graduate of Vale College, the greatest theologian of his century, the ablest 
metaphysician of the period between Leibnitz and Kant." Dexter's Va/e Graiiuates, p. 218. His 
text at this lecture, " From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth 
violence and the violent take it by force," obviously indicates that his discourse was keyed to the 
religious interest now prevailing. 

' Rev. Joseph Meacham, born at Enfield ; grad. H. C. 1710; settled at Coventry Oct., 1714 ; 
died Dec. 16, 1752. 

' Rev. Eleazci Wheelock, born at Windham, April 22, 1711 ; grad. V. C. 1733; ordained at 
the North Parish in Lebanon, June 4, 1735. An active participator in the Great Awakening move- 
ment, cooperating with Pomroy and James Davenport, which last named minister was his wife's 
half-brother. He took boys into his house for instruction (among others the Indian boy who became 
the celebrated Rev. Samson Occom) and thus gradually established an institution which came to be 
known about 1755 as " Moor's Indian Charity School." This enterprise developing and finding 
European patrons, especially by the aid of Occom who went to England for the purpose, it was 
deemed best to expand the institution to collegiate proportions, and, as Ciovernor Benning Went- 
worth offered a tract of land in aid. the College was planted in New Hampshire and named Dart- 
mouth College from the young Earl of that title who had been one of its benefactors. Dr. Whee- 
lock, who had received his degree from Edinburgh L^niversity, was dismissed from Lebanon, April 
15, 1770, and removed to Hanover, N. H., continuing in the arduous duties of his new calling as 
President, Professor of Divinity, and Pastor of the College Church till his death, April 24, 1779. 
He was of course a strenuous " New Light." He published successive " Narratives" of the state 
of his school, and other pamphlets and discourses, and left many manuscripts, some of which have 
been published since his death. 



64 wadsworth's diary [1741 

— 26. Lords day preached per totum from gal. 6. 15. Laboured 

under . . . 

— 29, This day Laboured under indisposition &". o y' god would 

direct and assist me in y^ way of my duty with respect to Anne 
Williamson 

— 30. This day indisposed. M"". Colton preached a Lecture for 

me from rom. 9. 23. I pray god to bless him. 
May begins 
May I. . . . M''. Woodbridge here at night. 

— 3. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y* Sacra- 

ment. Laboured under indisposition but not so much as on 
y* last Sabbath . . . Ozias Goodwin, Stephen Hopkins 
and Anne Humphrys admitted to Communion. Nath: Brace, 
Abig: Farnsworth & Susannah Butler owned y* Covenant. 
Jerusha Farnsworth and Reb: Barnard propounded to own 
y* Govt. 

— 4. . . . y* wife of John Brace who died Last night buried 

this day 

— 7. ... at night preached a lecture &" from 2 Cor. 6. 2 

— 10. Lords day I preached from psal. 68. 2 1 per totum. Laboured 

under difficulties by reason of my Cough and weakness, yet 
was enabled to speak with some life and power . . . Sus: 
Gross and patience Marshall propounded for adm: to Com: &^ 

— II. This day visiting &". ... at night felt better more 

clear in my mind enjoyed Comfort, o y' god would . . . 
save this Town my congreg". in particular from envying strife 
and Confusion.' 

— 13. This day a letter from my good friend M'. Sergeant by his 

Lieut. Aaron" &^ This day comes news y' y^ English have 



' This is the first distinct expression in this diary of apprehension respecting the now rapidly 
increasing signs of strife and division wliich followed tlie first stages of the Great Awakening, and 
which turmoiled to a greater or less extent almost every town in Massachusetts and Connecticut. 
The churches and ministers were divided about the wisdom of the new measures ; about the signs 
of conversion, about the expediency of the itineracy which assumed sudden popularity and some- 
times pretentiousness. Old landmarks seemed adrift ; and in almost every congregation (even of 
congregations disposed to cling to old ways and to hold to their old ministers) there were found in- 
dividuals, and often in considerable numbers, who denounced established methods as antiquated, 
settled ministers as idle lords over God's heritage, and who clamored for the presence and the ex- 
citement of peripatetic revivalists and the scenes which often accompanied their fervent and some- 
times tumultuous meetings. 

^ Lieutenant Aaron was an Indian of the Housatonic tribe by the name of Umpaclieene. In 
furtherance of the mission enterprise among these Indians Governor Belcher, who was much in- 
terested in the success of the endeavor, conferred commissions sometime in 1734 upon two of them, 
who were known respectively as Captain Konkapot and Lieutenant Umpacheene. When, later, in 
1735, a church came to be formed, and Mr. Sergeant was ordained pastor, these two Indians among 
others were received as members, and baptized with more familiar names. Capt. Konkapot on 



174'] wadsworth's dtarv 65 

taken y* forts at Carthagena and are bombarding y" Town ' 

— 14. This day Election, (lov, Dep: (iov: and assistants as in 

y" year past. M'. Sol: Williams' ])rcachetl from Joshua i: 7. 
under some difiiculty this day by reason of y' Itinerant 
preachers. 

— 15. M'. Mills' preached two sermons. 

— 17. Lords day I preached A.M: from Matt. 22. 39, and P.M: 

M'. Rector Clap preached for me from John 3. 3. a good ser- 
mon I pray god to bless it to me and all y* heard it. 

— 20. This day went to Farmington with Rector Clap 

much Talk and running after new preachers in this Town 
to-day. o lord direct me I pray and y' other ministers of this 
Town in y* way of y' duty. 

— 22. M'. Mills preached P:M: from Zech. 14. 6. 7. 

— 23. This day Study &''. examined Jn°. Sherwin for admission 

&°. found him to reserved but I hope a good bias in his heart 
towards god 

— 24. Lords day I preached . . . found assistance and 

Courage more than usual, hope god is restoring my health 
blessed be his name 

— 25. This day pray**, at court, god gave me presence of mind 

and utterance thanks to him, . . . some refreshing Con- 
versation with M'. Kent," may our hearts be more and more 
united, visited at night by y* Ingenious M'. Brown may god 



Nov. 2, 1735, was baptized "John," and his wife "Mary" ; and on Nov. i6th, Lieutenant Um- 
pacheene and his wife were baptized " Aaron " and " Hannah." Lieut. Aaron was a useful man in 
his tribe and in the mission ; and thouRh at sometimes overtaken with the Indians' easily besetting 
sin, a love for the strong drink which unscrupulous white men put in his way, lived on the whole a 
creditable Christian life. Of his wife Mr. Sergeant often spoke warmly as a virtuous and valuable 
woman. 

' Carthagena is the capital and chief town of Colombia, South America. The fleet under 
Admiral Vernon gained a victory over the harbor defences ; but the land attack which followed, 
under General Wentworth, suffered disastrous repulse, resulting in the abandonment of the siege, as 
Mr. Wadsworth afterward has occasion to note. 

' Rev. Solomon Williams of Lebanon, who preached the Election Sermon on this occasion, 
was born at Hatfield, Mass., Jan., 1701 ; grad. H. C. 1719 ; ordained at Lebanon, Dec. 5, 1722. He 
was one of the most eminent men of his period ; a cousin of Jonathan Edwards with whom he was 
brought into controversy in the Half- Way Covenant discussion. He was inclined to the " Old 
Light" position in the Whitefieldian troubles. He died Feb. 29, 1776, in the fifty-fourth year of 
his honorable ministry. 

' Rev. Jedidiah Nfills of Ripton (now Huntington) ; born at Windsor March 23, i6<)7 ; grad. 
V. C. 1722 ; ordained at Ripton, Feb. 12. 1723-4. An ardent supporter of Whitefield, and the " New 
Light " party, and himself an itinerating evangelist. He continued in his pxstoral relation nearly 
fifty-two years, dying " greatly lamented," Jan. 19, 1776. 

* Probably Rev. Elisha Kent of Newtown. Born at Suffield, Mass., July 9, 1704 ; grad. V. C. 
1729; ordained at Newtown, Sept. 27, 1732. He was dismissed from this parish, after a period of 
considerable disquietude, Feb. 25, 1742-3, and installed over a church at Philippi, New York, where 
he continued in ofTice till his death in July, 1776. 



66 WADSWORTIl'S DIARY [174I 

bless him, greater serenity of mind this day than usual, cour- 
age and boldness . . . 

— 26. . . . Visited by a woman Concerned about y* times, by 

another under great Concern, o god be mercifull to her 

— 28. This day prayed at Court, went to y^ West Division, 

preached from 2 Cor. 6. 2. at night married George Alcot and 
Dorothy Skinner, returned home Laus Deo 

— 29. This day was Interred y* wife of Caleb Bull 

— 30. This day study Laboured under bodily indisposition, 

visited by M'. Pratt, nil remarkable occurs. . . . 

— 31. Lords day I preached A: M: . . . and P.M: M'. Mori- 

son preached for me . . . Jerusha Farnsworth and Ben: 
Barnard owned y* Covenant Ed: Cadwell and wife propounded 
for admis: to Communion with y* chh. 



Sometime in y* winter past our people began to set up weekly 
meetings for religious exercises. A concern for y' souls pre- 
vailed among many, and y* continues, they have run into some 
irregularities and disorders and still continue to do. I pray 
God to overrule all for his own glory and y^ Good of Souls, 
and to direct me in y^ way of my duty and to assist me to a 
faithfull discharge of it 
June 1741 

June I. . . . y* news comes y* Carthagena is taken 

— 2. This day went to Farmington to y^ association.' Saw my 

friends in usual health 

— 3. Lecture at Farmington M'. Bissell preached from heb. 7. 

25. returned home found my family well Laus Deo. 

— 4. This day a lecture in y^ afternoon M^ Bissel preached from 

I Joh. 3. 2. 

— 6. . . . discoursed with one y* has bin a great Sinner, who 

I hope is returning to god, god grant he may be a true peni- 
tent, and y' I may be guided so as to guide him aright. 

— 7. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y^ Sacra- 



1 The Association at this session (Mr. Wadsworth being Scribe) passed and put on record the 
following Resolve : 

"Whereas there appears a general awakening and Religious Concern among many of our 
people and a disposition to hear the gospel preached more frequently than it has usually been ; 
which awakening and religious Concern if duly cultivated and directed may have a very happy In- 
fluence to promote Religion and the Saving Conversion of Souls : Wee therefore Judge it expedient 
that the ministers of this association, in such Convenient Vicinities or neighborhoods as they think 
proper, set up frequent Lectures and preach alternately for each other, and that they Labour to 
open, explain and Inculcate the great and important doctrines of Christianity." 



i74'l wadsworth's diary e-j 

ment. this day Edward Cadwell and his wife, John Skinner, 
Susan: Gross, Tat: Marshal, Matthew Bid well and Mary Butler 
were admitted to Communion with y* Church, this day went 
thro' my work with greater boldness ease and courage than 
usual, tho' Laboured under much bodily weakness. 

— 8. Visited M . Woodbridge. I pray God to heal him restore 

him to health and usefulness again 

— lo. This day went to a lecture at the west division M'. Marsh 

preached from psal. 34. 8. 

— 14. Lords day I preached per totum from 2 Cor. 5. 20. went 

thro' my work with less difficulty than at many other times 
. . . this day 96 year was Naseby fight 

— 15. This day wrote a letter to go to Doct'. Doddridge, another 

to Boston. 

— 16. This day catechised children at Jonathan Butlers. 

— 17, This day went to Wintonbury, preached a lecture from luk. 

3. 7. . . . Spake with freedom blessed be god . . . 

— 18. This day some refreshing Conversation with M', K. and H: 

. . . at night came news that y' Spaniards had landed a 
1000 men on Long Island had burnt y* town of Rockway, 30 
sail of vessels said to be there 

— 19. This day 2 troops of horse went to New-London &*.... 

Lord guard our Coasts, Save us from our Enemies hands. 

— 21. Lords day I preached p'. totum from James 3. 17. Baptized 

Daniel y* Son of Daniel Badger Jun'. in y^ afternoon while I 
was at meeting my wife was safely delivered of a Son ' Thanks 
be to god for it. o Lord I give him up unto thee bless him, o 
Lord, I pray and make him a blessing. . . . 

— 22. paied Billy Keith ^4. ^,s. o. remains due 4. 11. 8. 

— i^. . . . M'. Whitman returned from his Journey, blessed 

be God y' has returned him. Bellamy^ y* preacher here, made 



• Daniel. The boy lived to be only about nine years old, dying Nov. 3, 1750. 

" Kev. Joseph Bellamy of Bethlera ; born in Cheshire Feb. 20, 1718-19 ; grad. V. C. 1735; 
ordained at Bethlem April 2, 1740. He entered earnestly into the Whitefieldian movement and 
Ix'came one of the most powerful if not sensational of the itineratini; preachers. There is reason to 
believe he subsequently took a more conservative view of the proprieties of that episode of his 
history. He was a man of domineering temper and did not always use kind or Christian methods in 
his opposition to those who at this period differed from him in opinion as to what the cause of religion 
asked for. He was unquestionably the ablest preacher in Connecticut in his day ; and some- 
what later than this Great .\wakening era was one of the most prolific and able of controversial 
pamphleteers. His True Religion Delineated, published in 1750, rises to the hight of an important 
treatise, which was republished in Edinburgh in 1788, and had, both in England and America, a 
wide circulation. He became teacher of theology to many young men ; was invited to a pastorate in 
New York in 1753 and 54 ; received the degree of D.D. from the University of Aberdeen in 1768 ; 
preached the Election Sermon May 13, 1762 ; died March 6, 1790. 



68 wadsworth's diary [1741 

a disturbance here. I pray God direct me in y' way of my 
duty in this difficult day. . . . 

— 24. Lord teach me how to bear up under reproach. Sanctify 

all my troubles unto me. 

— 25. This day . . . M'. Gould ' of Stratford here . . . 

I thank God for his goodness to my wife, in giving her so 
much comfort and ease 

— 26. This day study &^ . . . o Lord direct me to a text for 

tomorrow Instant 

— 28. Lords day I preached A:M: from Jam. 3: 17. and P.M: 

from heb. 10. 31. . . . Laboured under weakness . . . 

— 30. . . . read Walters sermon, entitled y* thots of y* heart 

best evidence of a spiritual state, a good sermon. 
July begins. 
July I. . . . at night conversed with one very zealous, I pray 
God to save him from enthusiasm and wickedness 

— 2. a lecture at M'. Whitmans meeting M^ Whitman of Farm- 

ington preached from 2. Cor. 5. 15. discoursed with a delin- 
quent I pray God humble him and bring him to repentence. 

— 5. Lords day I preached p^ totum from Eph. 2. 13, administred 

y* Sacrament, admitted Amy Richards into y* chh. . . . 

— 6. This day writing, visiting, Conversation &^ I pray God 

direct me in y^ important affair I have discoursed of this night. 
Lord give us Love, peace & purity 

— 7. This day . . . INL. White here. Long discourse ab* y^ 

religious affairs of y* present times, o God direct me I pray 
thee, give me to understand my duty and Courage intrepidly 
to discharge it. 

— 8. This day went to Farmington M'. E. Whitman preached a 

lecture from Mark 8: 36, much concern among some people 
there. 

— 9. . . . returned home found my family in safety Laus Deo, 

— ID. Y* melancholly news of our forces drawing of from Cartha- 

gena with great Loss is Confirmed. . . . 

— 12. This day preached A:M: at M'. Whitmans meeting . . . 

and P.M: ... at my own. . . . Laboured under great 
weakness, o Lord help me 



' Probably Rev. Ebenezcr Gould, II. C. 1723 ; ordained at Greenwich, New Jersey, 1728 ; 
and a few weeks later than Mr. Wadsworth's entry (viz. Sept., 1740,) to be installed over a parish 
in Southold, L. I. Dismissed from there in 1747, he was installed at Middlefield, Oct. loth of the 
same year, from whence again he was dismissed in 1756. He died at East Granville, Mass., in 
1778 or 9. 



174'] WAnswoKin's diary 69 

— 13. This ciay reading Shei)licn.ls Sincere C!onvert ' ^:^ at night 

married John Tilly and Martha lUirnhain. 

— 14. ... Some pleasant Conversation with M'. A. \Vi)u(ibridge. 

— 15. Lecture. M'. Whitman of I'armington preached frcjin 

Matt. II. 2S. a gootl sermon 

— 16. This day . . visited M'. W'ijodbridge I j^ray (lotl 

Look in Mercy upon him. 

— 19. Lords day I preachetl A:M: from hcb. 4. 7. lat. p'. and 

P.M. from Gal. 4: 18 on religious zeal I pray gotl I might be 
possessed of it, influenced ..V acted by it and my people also, 
anil y' w' 1 have preached might be rec"*. by <.\: blessed to y"' so 
far as is agreeable to thy will. 

— 20. Uncle Thomas here, and at night M'. Ilunn 

— 21. This day in Conversation with good M^ Hunn, I pray god 

bless him and me 

— 23. This day went to y* West Division preached a Lecture 

from I. Joh. 3. 9. o God bless thy word . . . 

— 24. Went to Wintonbury to see brother Bissel, but he was not 

at home returned safely Laus Deo. 

— 26. Lords day I preached . . laboured under some diffi- 

culty in speaking 

— 27. This day Reading Bailys History of Brownists, independ- 

ents &*=. afternoon visited M^ Woodbridge. 

— 29. . . . the sorrowful news of y' death of Capt. Newberry 

arrives' . . . 

— 30. a lecture at M^ Whitmans meeting M^ Colton preached 

from Eph. 2. 13. a private meeting at night at y* governours 
August begins 
Aug. I. This day Study &^ M". Colton here. Theodore Wood- 
bridge returned from y' West Indies, this week arrived y* 
news of y* death of my good friend Capt. Newberry. When 
mine acquaintances are hid in darkness may I prepare for my 
own great change. 

— 2. Lord day I preached . . . and administred y* Sacra- 

ment, and rec''. Jemima Brace into y' chh. 

— 4. This day visited W. Woodbridge &■=. M'. Eliot here. 

— 5. This day went to Farmington preached a lecture from luk. 

3. 7 & returned Home Laus Leo 



' Shepherd's Sincere Con-wrt was one of several books belonginR to the previous century 
which the newly awakened religious interest in New F.ngland caused to be republished and e.tten- 
sively read. Among these books to which Mr. Wadsworth refers, besides this of Shepherd's, was 
Hooker's Poor Doubting Christian Drawn to Christ, and Giles Firniin's Kcal Christian. 

» A ttie, p. 53. 



70 wadsworth's diary [1741 

— 6. ... at night preached at y* Govern", something Strait- 

ened, I pray God deliver me from a blameable fear of man 

— 7. rec"^. a letter from M'. Clap. . . . 

— 9. Lords day I preached A:M: ... at M'. Whitmans 

meeting and P.M: M'. Morison preached for me . . . Sarah 
Jones owned y* Covenant and was baptized . 

— 10. at night saw Lieut"'. Ward returned from the Spanish 

Expedition. 

— II. Association met at M'. Woodbridges entered into Consider- 

ation of our religious affairs &°. Came into various resolves ' 

— 12. a lecture y* East Side M'. Whitman of F. preached from 

Isai. 32. 15 y* asso". broke up 

— 15. This day little study. Laboured under considerable indis- 

position, yesterday y* post brought us an ace' of Davenports ' 
boisterous management at Stonington. 



1 These " resolves" so distinctly indicate the difficulties which really right-hearted men like 
Mr. Wadsworth were encompassed by, that they must be quoted. 

" The following questions were considered and Resolved. 

1. Whether it be not at this time in an Especial manner needful for the ministers studi- 
ously to endeavour to maintain peace and unity among themselves and in the churches. Agreed 
upon by the Association to be needful. 

2. Whether it be not contrary to the mind of Christ and destructive to the peace of the 
Churches for a minister or ministers to preach in a parish or parishes where there is a settled minis- 
ter or ministers, without the desire, liberty or consent of such settled minister or ministers. Agreed 
in the affirmative. Act. 20. 28. i pet. 4. 15. i Cor. 14. 40. 

3. Whether any weight is to be Laied upon those screachings, cryings out, faintings and 
convulsions, which sometimes attend the terrifying Language of some preachers and others as evi- 
dences of or necessary to a genuine Conviction of sin, humiliation and preparation for Christ. 
Agreed in the Negative, as also that there is no weight to be Laied upon those Visions or visional 
discoveries by some of Late pretended to, of Heaven or Hell, or the body or blood of Christ, viz. as 
represented to the eye of the body. 

4. Whether the assertion of some Itinerant preachers that the pure gospel and especially 
the doctrines of Regeneration and Justification by faith are not preached in these Churches : their 
Rash censuring the body of our Clergy as Carnal and unconverted men and notoriously unfit for 
their office is not such a sinfull and Scandalous violation of the fifth and ninth Commandments of 
the Moral Law as ought to be testified against, and such preachers not be admitted to preach in our 
pulpits and parishes until they have as publickly manifested their repentence as they have given 
out their false and scandalous assertions. Agreed in the affirmative. 

5. Whether the pronouncing persons Converted so hastily and upon so slender grounds as 
some do, be not exceeding dangerous. Agreed in the affirmative. 

6. What is to be tho't of the religious Concern that is at this day so general in the Land ? 
Wee trust and believe that the holy Spirit is moving upon the hearts of many, that many 

have received of Late a Saving Change in many of our Towns, and hope and desire that thro' 
grace many may yet be Savingly wrought upon. But there are sundry things attending this work 
which are unscriptural and of a dangerous Tendency ; and therefore advise both ministers and peo- 
ple in their Respective Stations cautiously to guard against everything of that nature. And wee 
for ourselves seriously profess our willingness to encourage the good work of God's Spirit agreeably 
to his word to the utmost of our power." 

These resolutions were passed at an unusually full meeting of the Association, sixteen mem- 
bers being present. 

2 Rev. James Davenport, the most extravagant of the itinerating evangelists of the period. 
Born in Stamford in 1716 or 1717 ; grad. Y. C. 1732 ; preached awhile in New Jersey ; ordained at 
Southold, L. L, Oct. 26, 1738. With Rev. Jonathan Barber, before mentioned in this Diary, he 



174'] WADSWORTIl'S DIARY 7I 

— 16. Lords day Laboured under intiis])osition I went not forth : 

in y* forenoon y*^ Cong"', both met at M\ Whitmans meeting 
in y* afternoon M^ Whitman preached for me. rainy weather 

— 18. This day reC*. a letter from M'. Worthington . . . 

— 19. This day a lecture M'. l>issel preached from Isai. 55. 7. at 

night visited Obad: Spencer, sick prayed with him iV'. 

— 21. . . . LIncle Thomas here under inTirmity. Obadiali 

Spencer Sen^ died 

— 22. Ob: Spencer Literred as my earthly friends fail 1 pray Otnl 

to take me up. 

— 23. Lords day I preached pr totum from act. 16. 31 

relieve me I pray under my difificullies . . . 

— 25. This day at Farmington with my friends M'. Whitman 

preached from prov. 8. 32. returned home found my family 
well, praised be god. O Lord I pray appear for y' help of thy 
ministers & chhs. guide me in y' way of my duty under y' 
present difficult situation of affairs, & give me strength and 
courage faithfully to perform it. 

— 26. This day went to y* West division to Lecture M'. Whit- 

man preached from heb. 2. 3. . . . 

— 27. This day in Conversation &°. at night preached a lecture 

to y* youth 

— 30. Lords day I preached per totum from 2. tim. i: 13. 

— 31. Last night died and this day was Interred John y' Son of 

Timothy Biggelow. Visited M'. Woodbridge. found him not 
worse. 

Sept begins 
Sept. I. This day y* Court Super, sat here, great divisions and 
Contentions seems to be arising in some Towns. 

— 2. This day visiting, discourse «S:'. prospect of our religious 

affairs Looks melancholly. y* great awakening &^ seems to 
be degenerating into Strife and faction. 

— 4. This day prayed at Court, discoursed with Capt. Oz. P. 

ab*. our religious affairs a Long time, ye Lord bless him and 
direct me. 

— 6. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y* Sacra- 

ment. Laboured under great dullness, difficulty of speaking, 
inward weakness &*^" o Lord bless my weak endeavours. 



traversed a chief part of Long Island, and in July, 1741, he started on another and more notorious 
journey, characterized by denunciation of the ministers of almost every place as unconverted men, 
indulgence in the most violent language and bodily behavior, and encouragement of the wildest 
outcries and ecstacies of terror or delight in his hearers. There will be occasion to refer to him 
hereafter. 



72 wadsworth's diary [174 1 

— 9. Commencement at New-Haven. Davenport and Bellamy- 

preached and Mills at night, great Confusion. 

— 10. Much Confusion this day at New-Haven, and at night y^ 

most strange. management and a pretence of religion y* ever I 
saw. 

— II. Went to Stratford in y* afternoon. 

— 12. Went to Reading, weary &•=. 

— 13. preached pr. totum from gal. 6. 15. 

— 14. Went to fairfield, nil remarkable 

— 15. Came to New-Haven 

— 16. returned home found my family well, Laus Deo 

— 20. Lords day I preached A:M: for M"'. Whitman . . . and 

P.M: ... at my own meeting. Mary Pratt owned y* 
covenant 

— 21. Visiting y^ sick •S:''. a time of great distress. 3 persons 

buried this day 

— 22. . . . Rector Clap here at night 

— 24. A day of fasting and prayer on ace*, of y* distressing sick- 

ness among us. A.M. I preached from Job. 14. 10. & P.M. 
M', Whitman preached from mic. 6. 9. 

— 27. Lords day I preached per totum from rom. 14. 17. . . . 

— 30. This day went to y*^ west division preached A: M: from Job 

14: 10 & P.M. M"'. Whitman preached Mic. 6. 9. returned 
home found my family well Laus Deo. I pray God to direct 
me in my duty to my poor B. H. O Lord save him from ruin — 

The religious stir y' has bin amongst us seems to have had differ- 
ent effects, some I hope are reformed and Converted, others 
I fear are only turned from one sort of wickedness to another, 
divisions and Contentions seem to be arising among us I pray 
y* god would mercifully Interpose and prevent them if it may 
consist with his holy will and pleasure, but if not to prepare 
me for his will and help me to do and suffer w* he has ap- 
pointed for me. 

Itinerant preaching which some have gone into y^ practice of, is 
liked by some and greatly disliked by others; I know not but 
y' they may have done good in some places, but I think in 
many places and Especially in this Town they have done a 
great deal of mischief. I think they have bin very influential 
of weaning of y* religious impressions y' were on y^ minds of 
our people, and Turning y™ to disputes, debates and (}uarrels, 
and w' will be y*" event God only knows. The principle Itin- 
erant preachers among us are Jed: Mills, Pomroy & Wheelock, 



174'] WADSWOKTIl'S DIARY 73 

some others young ministers are getting into y* way. Steady 
christians <S: y* most Judicious among ministers and people so 
far as I can Learn generally dislike these new things set afoot 
by these Itinerant preachers. 
October 1741 
Oct. I. This day lecture M'. Colton preached . . . 

— 2. . . . received a Letter from Docf Doddridge Dated 

^Llrch 6. 1740/41. very kind and obliging, this day died 
Mary Farnsworth 

— 3. This day . . . Mary Farnsworth Interred, y* Gov. sick 

— 4. Lords day I preached per totum from heb 5. 9. adminis- 

tred y' Sacrament, had a Contribution for wid: Esther Mer- 
rel . . . 

— 6. . . . Sickness prevails among us . . . in y* night 

died Jos: Gilbert Jun'. 

— 7. This day went to Windsor to y' Assoc".' M'. Colton 

preached from act. 16. 31. . . . 

— 8. . . . y* Govern', still very sick I pray God to spare his 

life in mercy to thy people if it may be. Jos: Gilbert Jun' In- 
terred. Gen". Court Sits at New-Haven. 

— 9. This day Joseph Farnsworth died, a sickly time . . . 

— 10. This day study, visiting y* sick &". a time of great dis- 

tress, y* Govern', exceeding sick, I pray God to heal him. 
not heard 

— II. Lords day. 15 minutes after 6 oclock in y' morning died 

my dear* father- Talcott, a pattern of piety, a good man and 
did good in our Israel, served his Country with faithfulness 
and to great acceptance in y* stations of a Justice, an assistant, 
a deputy Govern', and then of Govern' successively, he was 
also a Judge of y" County Court, a Judge in y* Super' Court, 
and major of y* Regiment in y' County of H: for many years, 
he was made a Justice of peace in May 1705, of y" quorum in 
may 1706, and in may 17 10 appointed major of y" regiment in 
y* County of Hartford, in may 171 1 he was Chosen into y* 
Council, in may 17 14 appointed Judge of y' County Court and 



• This Association, obviously exercised about the flocking of the people after the Itinerating 
preachers, debated this question : — 

"Whether it be not sinful! and scandalous for a person to forsake the preaching and admin- 
istration of his own Lawful Pastor and travel upon the Sabbath much further to another place of 
worship in order to hear some other minister ? " 

To which question the Association put on record this reply : " That for a person to do this 
under a pretense of going from an unconverted minister to hear a Converted minister, or pretend- 
ing that they get more good by the minister whom they go to hear, is altogether unwarrantable." 

10 



74 wadsworth's diary [1741 

of y* Court of probates, in Octob"' 1723 was chosen Dep: 
Govern', and in Oct. 1724 he was Chosen Govern'. while 
an assistant he was one year a Judge in y* Superior Court he 
continued Govern' from y* time of his being first Chosen to y* 
day of his death, was accepted by the multitude of his people. 
O Lord sanctify this Loss to me and them. He was in y' 72'' 
year of his age ' 

— 12. This day visiting &". nil remarkable rec*^ a letter from 

uncle James at night p'. M'. Bicknel 

— 13. This day was Interred my very hon**. father and dear friend 

Govern'. Talcott, a pattern of piety an eminently useful man 
in his generation what a breach is made in y^ Government, 
in y^ Town, and in our chh. its main pillar is fallen o Lord 
help me, sanctify this afiiiction I pray unto me, give me the 
grace to bear it patiently, now my father and mother has 
forsaken me o Lord take me up, I pray 

— 14. This day . . . M'. Whitman of F. preached a Lecture 

from Matt. 25. 21. gave Govern' Talcott a good Character 

— 16. . . . news from boston a french war expected. 

— 17. This day . . . died Susannah Spencer 

— 18. Lords day I preached p' Totum from Act. 13. 36. 

Laboured under . . . this day was Interred Susannah 
Spencer and Jemima Brace. 

— 20. . . . reading in Doct'. Mathers direction to Candidates 

for y^ ministry 

— 21. This day went to Farmington lecture there. ♦M'. E. Whit- 

man preached from Isai. 42. . . . great talk &:". about re- 
ligion. I wish there was much of it to be seen. 

— 22. This day returned from Farmington found my family 

alive Laus Deo. . . . 

— 23. This day died James Lee. 

— 24. . . . James Lee interred 

— 25. Lords day I preached p'. totum from Job. 5: 6. 7. . . . 

o Lord help me Save my people I pray from Contentions and 
divisions 

— 27. y* mother of y* familistical and antinomian opinions y' dis- 

tracted new England (about 1636, 1637 &".) was y* a christian 
should not fetch any Evidence of his good state before god 
from y* sight of any inherent qualification in him, or from any 
conditional promise made unto such qualification. hence 



* Gov. Talcott was born Nov. i6, it 



1740 wadsworth's diary 75 

sprung their revelations & monstrous opinions &°. Doct'. M. 
Magn: Lib: 3* pag. 87. visiting y* sick <S:". 

— 28. ... At night married M'. Allan MM^ean and M" 

Susanna Beauchamp. 

— 29. Lecture in y* afternoon I\I^ Colton preached from Matt. 

5. 26. at night Joseph Farnsworth and Mary Blin were 
married 

Novemb^ Begins happy may it be 
Nov. I. Lords day I preached pr totum from Job: 12. 15. anil ad- 
ministreiLy" Sacrament. Laboured under great weakness, o 
Lord help me. 

— 2. Went to Windsor about the affairs of y* General Consocia- 

tion,' I pray God y' it may be directed and Issue w'ell. re- 
turned in Safety, Laus Deo 

— 5. Publick Thanksgiving, preached from act. 26. 22. Cool 

blustering weather ... I bless God y' has preserved me 
thro' another year. 

— 8. Lords day I preached A:M: from Job. 5. 6. 7. at M^ Whit- 

mans meeting, and P.M at my own from rom. 8: 13. . . . 

— 10. This day y* Consociation met here to choose delegates to 

attend y* Gen" Consociation to be convened at Guilford on y' 
24 Instant, &: choose y* Rev^. M^ Sam" Whitman, The Rev"*. 
M^ Benjam" Colton and y* Rev^ M^ Stephen Steel, and of y« 
messengers Capt: John Marsh Deac" John Edwards & Capt: 
Thomas Pitkin. I pray God to Direct & bless y" 

— 13. Uncle Thomas went from hence toward night 

— 15. Lords day I preached from Col. 3: 16 per totum. Laboured 

under great indisposition in y* forenoon 

— 16. . . . Save y* people of my parish from Contention and 

Confusion, reduce those y* are wandering 

— 18. Went to y* West Division, preached a lecture from heb. 6. 

4. 5. 6. returned home in Safety, Laus Deo . . 

— 20. . . . conversed at night with a zealous man I pray 

God prevent his going astray, reduce him to y' rules of sobriety 
and truth. 



' At the session of the General Assembly of October previous to this date a call for a General 
Consociation of the churches in the Colony, to take into view the " unhappy misunderstandings 
and divisions subsisting in this Colony, whereby the peace of our churches is much threatened," 
was legalized by the Assembly and its expenses assumed by the Colonial treasury. It was to meet 
at Guilford, and " to consist of three ministers and three messengers from each particular consocia- 
tion." This is historically (aside from any other significant features) a very interesting gathering ; 
as being, under whatsoever variation of name, Consociation or Convention, precisely the old-fash- 
ioned and familiar Synod of New England history, and the last one to be called by civil authority. 



'j6 wadsworth's diary [174 1 

— 22. Lords day I preached per totum from gal. 5. 22. 23. went 

thro' my work with less difficulty than at some times 

— 23. Tim. y* son of Caleb Spencer interred, pulled down y^ old 

house 

— 24. This day rainy &". our Delegates set out upon y"" Journey 

to Guilford I pray God to prosper y"" Journey, and preside in 
y* Convention, & bring their Debates & Consultations to a 
happy Issue and Conclusion. 

— 25. A lecture in y"" afternoon at M''. Whitmans meeting. M^ 

Marsh of Windsor preached from Matt. 3. 10. 

— 26. M"". Marsh preached a lecture A:M: from Hos: 13. 13. as 

I'm informed at M''. Whitmans meeting 

— 28. This day in Study . . . reC* a letter from M^ Wood- 

bridge, I pray God to direct him in y* important affair before 
him and me w' advice to give him. 

— 29. Lords day I preached ... I pray god to bless w* was 

agreeable to his will to those that heard it. 
Decemb'. 
Dec. 3. . . . in y* afternoon M''. Whitman of Farmington 
preached a lecture here from Isai. 55. 6. 

— 6. Lords day I preached per totum from luk 2. 10. 11. ad- 

ministred y* Sacrament, admitted Tim: Phelps Jun''. into y^ 
Church, baptized Lucy y* daughter of James Shepherd. 

— 8. This day visited y^ sick, distressed &°. I pray God to have 

Compassion on Mary Griswould 

— 9. This day in conversation &" took a Copy of y' doings of 

y' general Consociation' 

— 10. This day . . . rec** a Letter from M^ Hunn 

— 13. Lords day I preached A:M . . . and M'' Webster P.M 

. . . and I baptized Allan y"^ son of Neil McLean, Moses 
y* son of James Bicknel George y^ son of Cyprian Nickols 
John y^ son of Joseph Alcot 



1 The proceedings of the Consociation as a whole have perished. Partial account of them is 
preserved in Philemon Robbins' Plain Narrative. One resolution the Consociation adopted was 
the following: 

" That for a minister to enter another ministers parish, and preach or administer the seals of 
the covenant, without the consent of, or in opposition to, the settled minister of the parish, is dis- 
orderly : notwithstanding if a considerable number of people in the parish are desirous to hear 
another minister preach, provided the same be orthodox and sound in the faith, and not notoriously 
faulty in censuring other persons, or guilty of any other scandal, we think it ordinarily advisable 
for the minister of the parish to gratify them, by giving his consent upon their suitable application 
to him for it, unless neighbouring ministers should advise him to the contrary." 

This action of the Consociation was made by the General Assembly at its Session in the May 
following, the basis, in connection with the statute of 1708 establishing the Saybrook System of 
Church Discipline, of some most stringent legislative enactments, which there will be occasion here- 
after to notice. 



1742] WADSWORTIl'S DIARY 'J'J 

— 14. This day visited a sick child I pray God to spare its life. 

cumbred with secular business. 

— 15. I pray y' god would direct the woman with whom I have 

liad serious discourse this night 

— 16. Visiting y* sick, at night reckoned with y* Com"''' due to 

me £,^2. \\s. id 

— 18. This day some (iood. this day was buried Moses y* Son 

of James Bicknel who died yesterday. 

— 19. . . . Sent a letter to my uncle James by Doct'. Fitch.' 

— 20. Lords day I preached A:M: from 2 pet. 2. 9. at M"". Whit- 

mans meeting and P.M at my own . . . and baptized 
Sarah y* daughter of Abraham Cadwell 

— 21. . . . at night Capt. Wyllys taken with an appoplectick 

fit. 

— 25. This day some study reading, visiting y' sick &". rec** M'. 

Dickinson Discourses on y* five points" 

— 26. between four and five o'clock this morning Died Hez: 

Wyllys Esq', in y' 70"" year of his age, he was seized with an 
apoplectick fit last monday night. Went to y* East side to 
preach 

— 27. Lords day I preached for M'. Woodbridge on y* East side 

. . . cold weather 

— 2!^. This day returned home found my family well, Laus Deo. 

This day was Interred Capt. W^yllys a good man and a good 
friend is gone, o y* god would raise up principle men among 
us 

— 30. This day heard M'. Edwards preach a Sermon from rev. 

January begins [1742] 

Jany. i. This day study &°. Conversed with an uneasy member, 
visited a sick woman, discoursed an awakened youth . . 
god has carried me thro' another year praised be his name 

— 3. Lords day I preached A: AL from psal. 12. i. and V.Vl. from 



• Dr. James Fitch "ser\'ed in the quality of a physician to the souldiers of this Colony gar- 
rison'd at Louisbourgh," and subsequently as "Second Surgeon's mate in the expedition against 
Canada." He had died before May, 1752. Col. Rec, IX: 221, X: 108. 

' Rev. Jonathan Dickinson's True Scripture-Doctrine concerning St^nic Important Points 
0/ Christian Faith. Mr. Dickinson was born at Hatfield, Mass., Apl. 22, 1688 ; gr.id. Y. C. 1706; 
ordained at Elizabeth, New Jersey, Sept. 29, 1709 ; a warm supporter of Whitefield, and a writer of 
many tractates of a controversial character ; chosen president of the College of New Jersey in May, 
1747 ; died on October 7 of the same year. He was one of the ablest ministers and theologians of 
his century. 



yZ wadsworth's diary [1742 

luk. 16. 9. and baptized Hannah y^ daughter of Samuel Flagg, 
this day died Mary y* wife of Thomas Welles 

— 4. . . . Mary Welles hurried, snowy weather, o Lord Sanc- 

tify all thy dealings with me, many of my dear friends are 
buried out of my sight. 

— 7, This day ab*. y* Estate &°. Lecture at M^ Whitmans meet- 

ing M''. Whitman preached . 

— 10. Lords day I preached p^ totum from luk. 16. 9. Laboured 

under . . . 

— 12. This day went to Durham, found my friends well. 

— 14. This day came to Middletown, o Lord . . . direct me 

. . . under y* present situation of affairs. 

— 15. This day returned home, found my family well, blessed be 

God for it, may y^ all be his own 

— 16. . . . rec**. a letter from M'. Edwards of Northampton, 

and one of his Sermons ' 

— 17. Lords day I preached p^ totum from Isai. 55. 7. . , . 

James Logan owned y^ Coven' 

— 18. . . . At night died Elizabeth y* daughter of Samuel 

Talcot 

— 20. . . . Elizabeth y* daughter of Samuel Talcot Interred 

— 21. This day went to y* West Division preached a lecture from 

Hos. 7. 8. 

— 24. Lords day I preached . . . Laboured under 

— 26. Went to Weathersfield M'. Whitman preached from Isai. 

32. 2. returned home found my family well Laus Deo 

— 27. lecture in y* afternoon at M'. Whitmans meeting M^ Lock- 

wood preached from Eph. 2. 8. at night I married Jacob 
Kellogg and Abigail Wadsworth. 

— 28. At night preached a lecture at M'. Churches from Joh. i. 29. 

— 29. This day in study &". rec*^. a letter from M^ Worthington,^ 

another from M'. Knot ' with a copy of Tenants letter to M"". 
Lord^ and also of some of y' principles of Count Zenzendorf 



1 Probably Mr. Edwards' sermon on T/ie Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit 
of God, which he had preached at New Haven, September lo, 1741, and which had been printed at 
Boston late in that year. 

2 Rev. William Worthington, born in Hartford Dec. 5, 1695 ; grad. Y. C. 1716; ordained at 
the western part of Saybrook, now called Westbrook, June 29, 1726, where he remained till his death 
Nov. 16, 1756. He preached the Election Sermon May 10, 1744 ; which shows strong sympathy 
with the Conservative side in the Whitefieldian Controversies. 

' Probably Rev. Abraham Nott, mentioned ante, p. 24. 

* The celebrated evangelist and supporter of Whitefield, Gilbert Tennent (born in Ireland, 
minister in Philadelphia, died about 1765) to Rev. Benjamin Lord of Norwich. Mr. Lord was born 
at Saybrook May 31, 1694 ; grad. Y. C. 1714 ; ordained at Norwich (explicitly renouncing the Say- 
brook Platform) Nov. 20, 1717. He was a supporter of Whitefield but disapproved of the excesses of 



1 74-] wadswokth's diary 79 

and y* moravian brethren ; I pray (lod to Save us from error, 
keep and guide us in this difficult day 

— 31. Lords day I preached per totum from Eph. i. 13. 

Less difficulty than at sometimes. Thanks be to (Jcnl. 
Feb: begins 
Feby. 2. This day went to Windsor, association met &". 

— 3. This day lecture at Windsor. M'. Colton preached from 

Josh. 24, returned home found my family well 

— 4. This day lecture M^ Colton preached from Joh. i. 29. 

at night I preached a Lecture at M'. Churches from luk. 14. 17. 

— 5. Study &'. finished reading Doct^ Watts his improvment of 

y* mind, or supplement &^ An excellent book, in w^ he Con- 
siders y* five methods of improvment which are i observation. 
2. reading. 3. Instruction by lectures. 4. Conversation, and 
5. Study. 

— 7. Lords day I preached per totum from Zech. 6. 12. and ad- 

ministred y* Sacraments. Joseph Shepherd Jun'. and Mary y* 
wife of W". Nickols were taken into y* chh. 

— 8. reading Neals History of New=England &". 

— 9. reading Neal &". rec*^. a letter from M'. Sergeant 

— 10. Lecture M\ Lockwood preached from Job. 36. 13. and from 

rev. 2. 21. 

— 14. Lords day I preached ... I pray god to bless w* I 

have spoken . 

— 18. Kept a fast at Kb. Williamsons on ace' of his wife who is 

sorely visited and distressed, preached a sermon from i pet. 
5. 8. at night preached at M'. Churches from heb. 3. 7. 

— 21. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Joseph y* son 

of Thomas Croswell and Nathaniel y* son of Diostheus 
Humphreys. 

— 22. This day visiting y^ Sick &^ . . . o y' I might know 

thy mind and will with respect to our religious affairs . , . 

— 25. This day a lecture I preached from rom. 8. i. 

— 28. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Elizabeth y* 

daughter of Nehemiah Smith. 
March begins 
Mch. 3. This day spent in business about Dividing y* Gove" 
Estate. 

— 4. This day as y* former. I find it very uncomfortable to be 

thus busied about y* world 



some of his followers. He was trustee of V. C. from 1740 to 1772 ; published many sermons, among 
them the Election Sermon May 12, 1751. He died March 31, 1784. 



8o wadsworth's diary [1742 

— 5. This day reading Caldwells Sermons French prophets' &''. 

— 7. Lords day I preached A:M: . . . and administred y* 

Sacrament and P.M: M'. Burr preached . . . Mary y* 
•daughter of M'. George Wyllys was baptized. 

— 8. Visited a poor distressed woman. M^ Clap here, a comet 

appeared in northeast about a fortnight ago. 

— 9- ■ ■ . nil remarkable occurs. M"". Williamson in great 

distress 

— 10. At night preached a lecture to y'' Negroes. I pray God to 

bless it to y™. 

— II. This day study, had a lecture in the afternoon M'. Newel 

preached from Joh. 21. 22. 

— 12. This day study &". Conversed with two uneasy persons 

at night 

— 14. Lords day I preached A:M. ... at M^ Whitmans 

meeting and P.M at my own . 

— 15- • • . Visited by some zealous men. o y* god would 

teach me my duty and establish me in it 

— 17. This day visited M^ Woodbridge found him no better 

. . . returned in safety Laus Deo. 

— 19. . . . yMVidow Goodwin Interred, great is yMioise and 

talk about religion, o y* wee might practice it as well as talk 
about it. 

— 20. . . . Laboured under darkness and discouragement, 

much discouraged in my work . . . 

— 21. Lords day I preached A:m: from Col. 3. 6. and P.M: 

from Joh. 7. 37. . . . 

— 22. This day reading, visiting M"". Woodbridge &". 



1 Rev. John Caldwell, a minister belonging to the Presbytery of Boston (a body whose date 
of origin and extinction are alike unknown) but which had at this period a considerable membership. 
Mr. Caldwell did some work in Derry, New Hampshire, and apparently some in Boston. 

This sermon was entitled The Scrijtticre Character or Masks */" False Prophets or 
Teachers. It was shortly followed by another called The Nature, Folly and Evil of rash and 
uncharitable Judging. Both sermons were preached in what was known as the French Church 
in School Street in Boston, an organization whose pastor. Rev. Mr. Lemercier, was connected with 
the Presbytery. The church became extinct about 1748. Rev. James Robie of Kilsyth, Scotland, 
in his preface to the Christian Monthly History, dated Nov. 15, 1743, accuses this James Cald- 
well as an imposter, a thief and a man who under his real name Thompton, was under ministerial 
disgrace in Ireland. Mr. Robie's allegations suffer some measure of discredit, however, by his im- 
mediately coupling with this statement respecting Caldwell a certainly unjustifiable reflection upon 
Rev. Samuel Mather of Boston, "a Known Enemy to this Work,'' who was, he affirms, "dismissed 
by the Majority of his own Congregation because his Character was such both in regard to Life and 
Principles, as he could be no longer useful among them." Mr. Mather's honorable ministry in 
England after his most incorrectly represented dismission from Boston, is a sufficient answer to this 
insinuation. The fact is, partisans on both sides of the Revival question were too ready to asperse, 
not the opinions only, but the character of their opponents. 



1742] wadsworth's diary 81 

— 23. . . . M'. Hart' of S: brook here. reC*. a letter from 

M'. Worthington. 

— 24. . . . preached a lecture at night at Thomas Ensigns 

from luk. 14. 17. 

— 25. M'. Edwards preached a lecture at M'. Whitmans meeting 

from heb. 5. 7. 8. and M'. Rogers at our meeting from luk. 7. 47, 

— 26. . . . Visited Anne Williamson, found her something 

more rational. I pray God to restore her to her right mind. 

— 28. Lords day I preached per totum from rom 6. 11. and bap- 

tized Marianne y* daughter of M'. W™. Keith. . . . 

— 29. This day y* Association met at AP. Whitmans. Discoursed 

upon y* business &^ One Grant complained of j\F. Collins' 
for teaching y' Crist was y' Son of God by eternal generation 

— 31. This day M'. Steel preached from Isai. 53. 3. y* associa- 

tion broke up. 
April begins 
Apl. I. When people murmur ag*. and chide with y"" rulers and 
teachers, y'' should go to god, ask help and direction of him 
Exod. 17 Numb. 20. 

— 2. . . . o Lord I pray thee support me under all my diffi- 

culties. . . . 

— 4. Lords day I preached and administred y* Sacrament . . . , 

baptized John y* son of Timothy Biggelow 

— 6. Nil remarkable occurs, save y' I saw a man in a very un- 

comfortable condition. I Intend to reprove him if God give 
me opportunity. 

— 7. a day of fasting and prayer in y* forenoon I preached from 

Isai: 26. 9. and P:M M^ Whitman from Exod. 33. . . . 

— 1 1. Lords day I preached A:M: from luk. 12. 5. and P:M. from 

luk. 12. 31. 

— 12. This day Freemans meeting. I preached from 2 Sam. 23, 

3. Joseph Pitkin & Joseph Buckingham were chosen Depu- 
ties, y* Lot is Cast into y* Lap but y* disposing of y* matter 
is yet of y* Lord. 

— 13. This day visiting &*. brother Lewis and sister here. rec*". 

a letter from M'. Nott. . . . 



* Rev. William Hart of Saybrook, born in East Guilford, May (or March) 9, 1713 ; grad. V. 
C. 1732; ordained at Saybrook, Nov. 17, 1736; died in that pastorate July 11, 1784. A conservative 
"Old Light" theologian and a powerful controversialist, publishing many pamphlets on current 
questions. 

' Rev. Timothy Collins, born at Guilford, April 13, 1699; grad. V. C. 1718 ; ordained at 
Litchfield, June 20, 1723 ; dismissed Nov. 15, 1752 ; continued to live at Litchfield engaged in medi- 
cal practice and civil duties till his death in February, 1777. He was an " Old Light," and his 
dismission from his parish was said to be largely owing to intrigues against him by Dr. Bellamy. 
H 



82 wadsworth's diary [1742 

— 14. . . . At night married Sam". Welles and Susanna Dick- 

enson. 

— 17. This day in Study, one informed me y' one of y* Itinerant 

preachers desired him to tell me y' I preached nothing but 
myself, if it be true y' I do so, I pray God to shew it me & 
teach me to preach christ & him crucified; if it be false, as it 
is, if I know my own heart, I pray God to give y* man grace 
to repent of his rash censure 

— 18. Lords day I preached A:M: from i tim: 2. 19. and P.M: 

from Hoz. 8. 12. went thro my work with some difficulty. 
Sarah Spencer propounded for admission to communion with 
y* church. 

— 23. The news of S"". Robert Walpoles resigning his posts and 

y* change of y' ministry at home comes vouched. 

— 25. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Abigail y* 

daughter of John Turner. 

— 26. Went to visit M"". Woodbridge &^ I pray God to deal 

graciously with him . . . 

— 29. Lecture in y^ afternoon at M'. Whitmans meeting. M^ 

Marsh preached from Matt. 5. 6. 
May begins. 
May 2. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y* Sacra- 
ment, and admitted Sarah Spencer and Jerusha Andrews to 
communion with y* chh. . . . 

— 3. This day reading Rutherford ag' y* Antinomians &^ I 

pray God . . . preserve me, my people & y* people of this 
Land from y'. errors 

— 4. ... at night a refreshing conversation with M'. Hop- 

kins ... 

— 6. This day in Study, o Lord God appear I pray for y* help 

of this Town. Save us from Contention and Confusion. 

— 9. Lords day I preached . . . Laboured under much weak- 

ness . . . 

— II. Went to yMVest Division &" y* ministers begin to meet 

— 12. This day visited M'. Woodbridge I pray God to heal him. 

I thank him y' he has bro't so many of my friends here in 
safety 

— 13. This day Election &*=. y* Govern^ Jonathan Law' Esq^, 



' Jonathan Law, born at Milford, Aug. 6, 1674 ; grad. H. C. 1695 ; died in office as Governor 
Nov. 9, 1750. He was opposed to the Itinerators and forward in promoting the repressive legisla- 
tion enacted at this session. 



1742] wadsworth's diary 83 

Roger Wolcot' Ksq^ Dep. (lov: assistants as in y* year past 
with the addition of Roger Newton Es()'. M'. Stiles' preached 
from psal. 147. 2. 

— 14. This day . . . news y' a ship Load of Moravians lay 

of at Fishers Island. 

— 15. This day . . . wearied with y' fatigues of y week. O 

that I might have rest in God 

— 16. . . . being Lords day M'. Stiles preached for me A:M. 

from Isai. 55. 3. and M'. Campbell P. M: from Eph. 2: 12. 

— 23. Lords day I preached p'. totum from i. Joh. 2. 6. a hot 

day. Laboured under considerable difficulty. O Lord help a 
poor worm. 

— 24. This day prayed at Court . . . there is news y' Mason 

is arrived. May this Gov', be guarded ag'. his unrighteous 
^pretentions. 

— 25. M'. Nott here. 

— 27. This day little Study; great disturbance in y* country by 

Davenport and other Itinerant preachers. 

— 28. . . . this day y' general assembly passed a bill to re- 

strain Itinerant ministers, and another to apprehend James 
Davenport and Ben: Pumroy and bring y" before y' assembly' 

— 30. Lords day I preached A:M: from act. 24. 16. and P:M: 

from 25. 17. . . . 

— 31. This day some reading, visiting and visited; at night y* 

Sheriff bro't. Davenport and Pumroy to Town W God is 
about to do with us I know not. 
June 1742. 
June I. This day M'. Davenport preached at Daniel Bulls, or 



* Roger Wolcott, born in Windsor Jany. 4, 1679 ; member of Council, Judge, Lieut. -Gov- 
ernor, Governor from 1750 to 1754, commander of the Connecticut forces in the Louisburgh expedi- 
tion of 1745, with the rank of Major-General, writer of " Poetical Meditations" and a defence of 
the Consociated system of Church government. He died in East Windsor, May 17, 1767. 

" Rev. Isaac Stiles of North Haven, born in Windsor July 30, i6q7 ; grad. V. C. 1722; or- 
dained at North Haven Nov. 11, 1724 ; died in office May 14, 1760. He was a zealous Old Light ; 
and his sermon on this Election occasion was decidedly polemic in its references to holders of oppos- 
ing views, and is credited with having considerable influence in promoting the stringent legislation 
adopted by the Assembly at this session against the Itinerating Evangelists. 

* This extraordinary Bill proceeded upon the wholly unjustifiable assumption that the Say- 
brook system (accepted by the Assembly in 1708, for such churches as agreed thereto, as a system 
established by law) was binding upon all churches irrespective of such agreement. And it went on 
to apply its assumption to the existing state of affairs by sundry stringent enactments, limiting the 
right of individual ministers to preach anywhere out of their immediate parishes without consent of 
the settled pastor ; punishing any minister who did so by depriving him of all power to collect his 
salary in his own lawful parish ; while, respecting any foreigner or person from outside Connecticut 
who should preach in any parish without the minister's consent, it provided for his summary arrest 
as a "vagrant" and expulsion from the Colony. Col. Rec, VIII : 454-457. 



84 wadsworth's diary [1742 

rather railed there if I am Informed right, in y* afternoon 
Davenport and Pumroy were bro't before y* generall assem- 
bly, y* assembly adjourned after sunset when there was a 
great tumult occasioned by D: and P. w^ with much difficulty 
was quelled by the authority. 

— 2. This day went to Wintonbury to y* association there. M"^. 

White preached from psal. 45. 2. M^ Colton and myself 
chosen Delegates to go to y* general assoc". at New London. 
Davenport sentenced by y* Court as an Enthusiast, a breaker of y^ 
peace, teaching doctrines destructive to y* peace and order of 
y* government and ordered to be transported out of y^ Gov- 
ernm*.' 

— 3. This day Davenport was shiped for transportation, y* gen". 

assembly adjourned without day; I pray God to bless y* en- 
deavours to settle and secure peace to this people 

— 4. . . . had a lecture in y* afternoon, preached from psal. 

104. 34. I pray God to bless . . . 

— 6. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y' Sacra- 

ment, and baptized Joseph y^ son of William Pratt 

— 7. . . . in y* night its said y' Pomroy preached at T: Sey- 

mours 



> Mr. Davenport (see ante, p. 70 note) and Mr. Pomroy (p. 61 note) were brought before the 
Assembly on a complaint from Ripton parish in Stratford, alleging that Davenport and Pomroy 
were there collecting assemblies of people, mostly children and youth, and under pretence of relig- 
ious exercises were inflaming them with doctrines subversive of law and order. 

The hearing occupied two days and was in Mr. Wadsworth's meeting house. The town was 
in a great state of excitement. As the arrested ministers came out on to the meeting-house steps, 
at the end of the first day's hearing, Davenport commenced a violent harangue to the crowds about 
the door. The sheriff took hold of his sleeve to lead him away. " He instantly fell apraying. 
Lord, thou knowest somebody's got hold of my sleeve. Strike them Lord! strike them ! " Mr. 
Pomroy also called out to the sheriff, " Take heed how you do that heaven-daring action ; the God 
of heaven will surely avenge it on you." 

For awhile it looked as if the prisoners would be taken out of the sheriff's hands. The night 
was little less than a riot. The house where the ministers were lodged was surrounded by an angry 
multitude, with difficulty dispersed by the magistrates. In the morning forty militia men were 
ordered under arms to preserve the peace. 

At the conclusion of the second day's hearing the Assembly adjudged that though Mr. 
Davenport's doctrines and behavior had " a natural tendency to destroy the peace and order of the 
government," yet as it appeared that he was "disturbed in the rational faculties of his mind" he 
was to be " pitied and compassionated and not treated as he otherwise might be." The Assembly, 
therefore, under the provisions of the act respecting "strangers and foreigners" just passed, ordered 
Mr. Davenport to be sent to Southold, out of the jurisdiction. And so about four o'clock in the 
afternoon, between " two files of musketiers," Mr. Davenport was marched down from the meeting 
house to the Connecticut river, and put aboard the vessel of one Mr. Whitmore. who, having re- 
ceived his charge, set sail immediately. There will be occasion to notice Mr. Davenport's later 
history hereafter. 

Mr. Pomroy was discharged without penalty. Indeed, it will be obser\-ed by Mr. Wads- 
worth's entry in his Diary, five days later, that Mr. Pomroy was still in town and holding a meet- 
ing at the house of Mr. Thomas Seymour. 



1742] wadsworth's diary 85 

— 8. M'. H: of meriden here. Visited a distracted woman and 

an erroneous man. M'. Eliot here at night, a pleasant con- 
versation 

— 10. . . . nil remarkable occurs, at night married T-evi Jones 

and Elizabeth Cook. 

— 13. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Jonathan y* 

Son of Benjamin Richards and catechised y* children. 

— 14. This day set out for New. London went as far as Colchester, 

a comfortable Journey. . . . 

— 15. This day went to New=London much pleased and I 

hope edified with y* good Conversation of y* grave and vener- 
able M\ Adams.' Y* Gen". Association formed. M\ Adams 
moderator. IVT. Colton Scribe 

— 16. A Lecture M\ Colton preached from Col: 4. 12. Lat. part. 

Somethings uncomfortable happened after y* Exercise was 
over. I pray y' it may be overruled for good 

— 17. y* Gen" Association brake up" y" next is to be at Fairfield 

on y* 3'' Tuesday of June next, at ^^^ Hobarts. returned as 
far as Colchester. 

— 1 8. This day got home, found my family well, for w'= I magnify 

& praise y* great and glorious God 

— 20. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized John y' son 

of John Bidwell 

— 21. This day reading Conversation &^ great is y* talk about 

religion, O y' wee might practice it as well as discourse about it 

— 22. This day went to y* Association on y* East Side of y* River 

at Hartford advised y* people to settle a Colleague with 
M'. Woodbridge & honourably to support M"". Woodbridge.' 



• Rev. Eliphalet Adams of New London. He was bom at Dedham, Mass., March 26, 1677 ; 
grad. H. C. 1694 ; ordained at New London Feb. g, 1708-9. A trustee of V. C. from 1720 to 1738 ; 
published several sermons, among which are two Election Sermons, 1710 and 1733. He died Oct. 
4. 1753- 

' This meeting of the General Association put on record its " Thankfulness to God the Father 
of Mercies " for his grace in " Stirring up Great Numbers among us to a Concern for their Souls " ; 
but expressed its conviction that " the Great Enemy of Souls who is ever ready with his Devices to 
Check, Damp & Destroy if possible the Work of God, is very busy for that purpose." Wherefore it 
felt constrained to exhort, among other things, "That seasonable and due testimony be borne 
against such Errors and Irregularities as doe already prevail among some persons, As Particularly 
the Depending upon <t following Impulses & impressions made on the mind as tho' they were Im- 
mediate Revelations of Some truth or Duty that is not Reveal'd in the Word of God — Laying too 
much Weight upon bodily agitations. Raptures, Extacies, Visions iScc — Ministers disorderly intrud- 
ing into other Ministers' parishes— Laymen taking it upon them in an unwarrantable manner 
publickly to teach and Exhort — Rash Censuring & Judging of others," etc., etc. 

' Rev. Samuel Woodbridge had now for a good while been unable to discharge the duties of 
his office by reason of his invalidism. Several ministers had already preached in East Hartford 
temporarily ; and the Association now advised a colleagueship. Propositions were accordingly made 
to several persons successively, but for one reason or other in vain. 



86 WADSWORTH*S DIARY [l742 

— 23. This day advised y* people on y* East Side to invite M^ 

Chauncey Whittlesey to preach on probation and in case he 
cant be obtained then to apply to M". Will". Adams." M". 
Whitman preached a Lecture from Eph. i. 13. returned home 
found my family well for which I bless god. . . . 

— 27. Lords day I preached . . . and in y* Evening to y^ 

negroes at y^ School house ^ from Mark 8. 36. . . . 

— 29. . . . went to Farmington. Saw my friends in usual 

health. Laus Deo. rec**. of my brother Jno' ^^20. 10. 

— 30. this day returned home, found my wife not well I pray god 

to heal her ; found M^ Chaunceys Sermon this day upon y*^ 
outpouring of y' Spirit, an excellent discourse.^ May it be 
blessed to me and others ; o y' God would put a stop to the 
Enthusiasm y' prevails in y^ Land. 
July begins. 
July I. This day paied Capt: Hooker ^10: 11': o which I borrowed 
of him May 30'''. 

— 2. This day spent much of it in a hurry of worldly business, 

blessed be God y' has carried mee so well thro' it. in y* after- 
noon M''. Whitman preached a lecture from rev. i. 12. 

— 4. Lords day I preached A:M: from rev. i. 5. and administred 

y' Sacrament of y* Lords Supper and P: M: from Jam. 2: 8. 

— 5. This day went to Salmon brook found y* people in very 

uncomfortable circumstances. I pray God to heal y"" divisions^ 

— 6. This day finished y* Salmon brook affair and returned home. 

— 9. The news comes of Davenport being excluded y* pulpits in 

Boston. I hope it will be a means of stopping him in his mad 
career 

— II. Lords day I preached p^ totum from Eph. 2. 10 . . . 

— 12. . . . O Lord God Almighty I pray thee prevent 



• William Adams, son of Rev. Eliphalet of New London. Born Oct. 7, 1710 ; grad. Y. C. 
1730 ; tutor there 1732-34 ; a preacher for more than sixty years, but never ordained and never 
married, saying he could not have the burthen of a parish or a wife. His work was done chiefly in 
the vicinity of New London, on Shelter Island, and the Eastern end of Long Island, though his 
latest years found him in New London, where he died Aug. 25, 1798. 

2 " The School house " stood in what is now called Main Street, then a hundred feet wide, in 
front of what is now known as the " Linden " building. 

3 Rev. Charles Chauncey of the First Church of Boston ; born Jan. i, 1705 ; grad. H. C. 
1721 ; ordained at Boston First Church Oct. 25, 1727 ; died Feb. 10, 1787, je. 82. 

* The Salmon brook Society in Simsbury had called Rev. Eli Colton, son of Rev. Benjamin 
Colton of West Hartford, sometime in 1740 or 41. But difficulties arose, the Society would not pay 
him the stipulated salary ; and at the advice of the Association given in October, 1742, Mr. Colton 
withdrew. He was afterward settled at Stafford, where he was called Sept. 14, 1744, and died there 
in office June 8, 1756. He was born at West Hartford Aug. 8, 1716, and grad. at Y. C. in 1737. 



1742] WADSWORTIl'S DIARY 87 

y* unhappy division and separation y' is threatened in this 
Town. Cahn y* minds and turn y* hearts of those y' may be 
attempting of it. I-ct y"" see y' sin and danger of it, and be 
diverted from it, if it may be thine holy will:' 

— 14. This day visited M'. Woodbridge found him better than 

usual . . . o y* God would prevent any unhappy divisions 
in this Town w" wee seem to be in danger of. . . . This 
day Jonah Gross came Home, he was taken by y* SjKiniards 
May 30. 1 74 1 and carried to Porto Valla from there to Leguvia, 
from thence over Land to Crokus and kept in prison there till 
sometime in april Last and then released. May god give him 
a thankful heart for his deliverance 

— 15. This day . . . rejoyced at the return of one of my 

people from Captivity. 

— 16. This day in study, y* news paper informs y' a warrant was 

Issued in Boston to apprehend one Sam". Green a noted enhab. 
for blasphemy. 

— iS. Lords day I preached per totum from Col. i. 28. and at 

night to y' negroes at y' school house. . . . 

— 19. This day reckoned with M'. Austin y' whole of my account 

with him was p^i6. 7. i. . . . I am still in his debt 12 
shillings. 
Xhis day also four men from Colchester were bro't to prison for 
breach of y* Law Lately made for Restraining and Correcting 
abuses in ecclesiastical affairs — but I since hear it was for 
holding a Separate meeting upon y* Sabbath Contrary to y* old 



> The present writer has undertaken no responsibility for the defence of Mr. Wadsworth's 
views and anxieties about the condition of things in his parish or in Connecticut generally. But it 
is only fair to him to remember certain incontestable facts. Not only had Mr. Whitefield in his 
journey through New England publicly inveighed against a majority of the ministry as unconverted 
men, and deliberately recorded in his Journal that " many, perhaps, most that preach, I fear do not 
experimentally know Christ," and that the colleges. Harvard and Vale, had "become darkness — 
darkness that may be felt," but a large number of Mr. Whitefield's followers had exceeded him in 
denunciation of the settled ministers and in counseling separation from them. Rev. Gilbert Tennent, 
who had preached with great impression at Boston a few months after Mr. Whitefield's first visit, 
indulged in similar censures. Indeed, in his sermon dedicated to the people of Nottingham, 
Pennsylvania, he represents the body of the "Clergy of this generation" as "varlets," "the seed 
of the Old Serpent," "men whom the devil drives into the ministry," "blind and dead men," 
" rebels and enemies to God," "dead drones," " dupes," "children of Satan." 

Such preachings as these could not be without divisive results. Almost every town in Connec- 
ticut was actually in a turmoil. Every parish had its sympathizers with the itinerating revolution- 
ists. Many parishes were disrupted and permanently divided. Many ministers were harried out 
of their pulpits and their livings by parties raised up against them among those they had baptized 
and welcomed to church fellowship. The signs of such possible results were visible wherever Mr. 
Wadsworth could turn his eyes. His own Society and those of his neighbors Whitman and Colton 
were sorely disquieted. Whether a different course on his part would have averted any of these 
tribulations is at least an open question. That the tribulations were actual and ominous of lasting 
calamity there can be no dispute. 



88 wadsworth's diary [1742 

Law y* penalty for w". is 20^. y^ were fined but wo'd not pay 
it and so y' authority was obliged to send y" to Jail 

— 20. This day visiting &°. Uncle Thomas here. I pray God 

mercifully to prevent any divisions or Sinfull Separation in this 
Town. 

— 22. This day reading &°. y" Snake in the grass.' O y' god 

would Save us from a spirit of blindness, delusion and 
enthusiasm 

— 23. This day in Study. I thank God y' has given me of late 

so much Calmness and serenity of heart and mind under y* 
melancholly prospect of our religious affairs, verging toward 
enthusiasm and Confusion. I pray God y* I may be directed 
to and kept stedfast in y' way of my duty, and y' my people 
may be saved from error, enthusiasm and Confusion, be con- 
verted & built up in holiness. 

— 25. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Dorothy y* 

daughter of Daniel Goodwin. Staled y* church and Chose a 
Com"", with me to admit preachers.^ 

— 26. . . . M^ White of B here, refreshed with his company. 

— 27. . . . M^ Merrick^ of Sp: here, a very warm day, I 

pray God to save from divisions his churches in this Town. 

— 28. . . . visited some of my people: I pray God to bless 

and direct y"" Save y" from error, prevent their being Lec^ 
astray by such as creep into houses to Lead captive y° Silly 

— 29. This day went to y^ West division, returned and visited 

some uneasy people, I pray God to save y" from an unchristian 
temper and practice . . . 
August begins 
Aug. I. Lords day I preached A: M: . . . and P.M: M^ Mori- 
son preached for me from heb. 13. i. . . . 

— 2. This day . . . read M'. Chaunceys Sermon* upon &:^ I 



1 T/ie Snake in the Grass, or Satan Transformed into an Angel of Light, a tractate by 
Charles Leslie, "Discovering the deep and unsuspected subtlety which is Couched under the pre- 
tended simplicity of many of the principal leaders of the people called Quakers." First published 
in 1696, but having several subsequent editions. 

2 With characteristic caution Mr. Wadsworth brought the question of the determination of 
what preachers should (under the existing state of the law and of popular sentiment) be allowed to 
preach in his parish before the Church and secured the appointment of a committee to divide the 
responsibility with him. 

3 Rev. Noah Merrick, born at West Springfield, Aug. 6, 1711 ; grad. Y. C. 1731 ; preached 
awhile at Brimfield and Hadley ; ordained at Springfield Mountains (now Wilbraham) June 10, 
1741 ; died in office Dec. 22, 1776. 

* Probably Chauncey's sermon on Enthusiasm Described and Cautioned Against, pub- 
lished this year. This sermon was in criticism and discouragement of the extravagances which had 
followed the early stages of the revival period ; and was a forerunner of Dr. Chauncey's larger 
work published the following year, entitled Seasonable Thoughts on the State 0/ Religion. 



1742] wadsworth's diary 89 

pray God it may be blessed to all into whose hands it may 
come and be a happy means of Stemminj^ the torrent of en- 
thusiasm and disorder y* has been prevailing in y' Land, heard 
y' Georgia was taken by y* Spaniards 

— 4. . . . Sister Hooker delivered of a Son. the news of 

Georgia being taken further confirmed. 

— 5. At night I heard y' Amos Munson ' was Committed to prison 

for holding forth at Colchester contrary to Law. pag. 511. 

— 6. This day in Study, at night .A.mos Munson held forth in y* 

Goal,^ many people to hear him, o y' God would appear for our 
help and deliver us from these delusions. 

— 8. Lords day I preached A:M: from rev. 3. i. and P.M; from 

heb. 4. 3. o that god would bless w* I have spoken . . . 

— 9. This day in Secular business &^ visited M'. Woodbridge 

in y' afternoon. This day an Itinerant preacher came to 
Town, preached at night at y' west side of y* Town. 

— 10. This day in Study and other affairs Two men from Col- 

chester committed to Goal for holding a separate meeting on 
y' Sabbath contrary to Law page 290. Y' is for refusing to 
pay y* penalty in that Case provided 

— II. Visited Amos Munson in prison, find him tho' zealous yet 

wildish and scatter brained, I pray God to. restore him to a 
sound mind 

— 13. M'. little' here; much confusion in y*' Country, o Lord 

appear for our help I pray. Lord guide and direct magistrates, 
ministers and people in their duty o god I Intreat, and 
especially afford Guidance unto me thine unworthy servant 

— 14. Laboured under a considerable disquiet Last night my rest 

much broken by reason of y* confusions of y* present times. 
Lord god almighty support and strengthen me I pray, prepare 
me for y* duties of thine holy sabbath 

— 15. Lords day I preached A:M: from Col. i. 12 and P.M. from 

2 Cor. 5. 10 and baptized Elijah y* son of Samuel Andrews, 
and Moses y* son of Joseph Shepherti Jun'. 



' Amos Munson, born at New Haven, April 9, 1719 ; grad. V. C. 1738 ; licensed to preach by 
the New Haven Association, Sept. 30, 1740, but so embraced the new measures that the Associa- 
tion remonstrated with him as preaching " in a manner which we think disorderly." He was never 
ordained, and became in May, 1742, one of the original members of the Separatist Church in New 
Haven. He died at 29 years of age, in 1748. 

' The jail at this time stood on the north side of Court House Square, a little easterly from 
the present Couranl building. 

' Rev. Ephraim Little of Colchester, bom at Scituate, Mass.; grad. H. C. 1728 ; ordained at 
Colchester Sept. 20, 1732, died in office June, 1787. An Old Light in the present tribulations. 



90 wadsworth's diary [1742 

— 18. This day went to a Councel at y' West Division, entered 

upon y* Case.' 

— 18. Spent at y* West Division in Councel &:". returned home, 

found my family well. Laus Deo. 

— 20. This day . . . toward night a Court at Coin'. Stanleys, 

Seth Youngs sentenced to be bound to his good behaviour for 
exhorting contrary to Law, but refusing to give bond was in 
y* evening committed to Goal 

— 22. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Elizabeth y* 

daughter of John Skinner and Lois y* daughter of Michael 
Burnham: catechised y* children at night 

— 23. This day . . . saw a poor distressed creature, a sick 

man &". I pray god have mercy on y" both according to y'' 
necessity, this day y* conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in 
Leo so much talked of 

— 24. . . . Considerable tumults and commotions are still 

among us an ugly squabble happened last night at y* 
Goal. . . . 

— 27. This day in Study, y* news from Boston comes y' James 

Davenport is imprisoned there.' 

— 28. This day ... nil remarkable occurs, save y' M^ Wood- 

bridge of Simsbury^ died very suddenly in the forenoon as I 
heard at night. 

— 29. Lords day I preached p^ totum from luk. 21. 36. and in y* 

evening at the school-house from Deut. 32. 29 

— 30. This day went to Symsbury. M^ Marsh preached a funeral 

Sermon from Matt. 24. 46. y* Rev^ M^ Woodbridge was In- 
terred. 



' This was but one of several councils which the disturbed condition of matters in the West 
Hartford parish caused to be summoned. Rev. Dr. Nathan Perkins in his Half Centtiry Sermon, 
preached in 1822, says : " During the Rev. Mr. Colton's ministry, the church and parish, as appears 
from authentic documents, had a most unhappy period, for four or five years, of very great and 
cruel divisions and contentions, which could not be healed and adjusted but by calling in two whole 
Consociations, that of Hartford County and Litchfield County." 

2 Mr. Davenport was interviewed by the Boston ministers on his arrival, June 28, but they 
received no satisfaction and united in a Declaration disapproving his course. This led to violent 
denunciations by him in his street preaching, and these to his apprehension and imprisonment, 
August 21. On examination, however, he was adjudged insane, and sent home. Mr. Davenport 
continued his erratic course, and with increasing extravagances, sometime longer. A provi- 
dential illness, however, put a pause to his travels, and this, with expostulations from Revs. Messrs. 
Solomon Williams and Eleazer Wheelock, availed to secure from him a public Confession and Re- 
traction published in the Boston Gazette in August, 1744. His later ministerial services were per- 
formed in New York and New Jersey, interrupted by a missionary tour in Virginia. He died the 
loth of November, 1757. He was doubtless a good man, but of an excitable and unbalanced 
judgment. 

s A nte, p. 48. 



1742] wadsworth's diary 91 

— 31. This day Doct'. Chauncey at my house a pleasant conver- 

sation. . . . 

September, 1742. 
Sept. 2. This day ... in y' afternoon preached a Lecture 
from John 6. ;^;^. . . . 

— 3. This day . . . visited M\ Woodbridge found him bet- 

ter Laus Deo. 

— 5. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y* Sacra- 

ment . . . felt weak and indisposed. 

— 6. This day set out on a Journey to N: Haven. Lodged at 

Wallingford, a refreshing conversation there. 

— 7. This day got to New-Haven safe and in health Laus Deo. 

— 8. This day Commencement, y* affairs of it conducted with 

considerable order and decency. 

— 9. This day returned as far as Wallingford a kind entertain- 

ment. 

— 10. This day got home I found my family well, blessed be 

god for it and y' he has bro't me home in safety. 

— 12. Lords day I preached A:M: from tit. 2. 10. and P.M. from 

gen. 39. 9. . - . . 

— 15. This day spent much of it at Court, hearing Trial of Rich- 

ardson for putting of Counterfeit money.' y* Jury bro't him 
in guilty, poor man pray God to give him repentence 

— 16. This day prayed at Court. . . . Edward Aldridge 

found guilty of Counterfeiting money &^ 

— 18. This day went to Symsbury to take my turn in preaching 

to y* bereaved chh.^ 

— 19. Lords day preached at Symsbury from Ecclesiastes 12. 5. 

— 21. This day freemans meeting Capt. Marsh and M^ Buck- 

ingham chosen Deputies, rainy weather. 

— 22. Went to Farmington M'. Marsh preached from Deut. ;^;^. 2. 

— 23. . . . Last night I hear was a sad tumult at y* goal oc- 

casioned by Munson and his adherents 

— 25. . . . M'. SewaP here. 

• Richardson and Aldridge (mentioned as tried the next day) were by the next Assembly, in 
October following, allowed to depart out of the jurisdiction, on payment of costs of trial, board at 
the prison, and forty pounds " premium paid to the informer against them." 

' According to a current usage of the time, designed not only to express the fellowship of the 
churches, but to continue awhile to the family of the deceased minister the salarj- which his death, 
without such continued supply of his pulpit, might at once interrupt. 

' Probably Rev. Joseph Sewall of Boston, born Aug. 15, 1688; grad. H. C. 1707; ordained 
colleague with Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton at the Old South Church, Boston, Sept. 16, 1713 ; died 
June 27, 1769. 



92 wadsworth's diary [1742 

— 26. Lords day I preached A: M: from rom. 5. 12. and P.M: from 

Col. 4. 12. Went thro' my work with less difficulty than at 
sometimes. Laus Deo. . . 

— 27. This day . . , reading Pickerings letters. Caldwells 

Sermon upon uncharitable Judging' &". &°. 

— 28. This day Timothy Biggelow first came to school to me 

. . . Visited M\ Woodbridge, found him better Laus Deo 

— 29. This day y^ afternoon spent in prayer with M". Williamson 

at night married Job Marsh and Rebecca Pratt 

— 30. This day . . . in y* afternoon a Lecture at ^F. Whit- 

mans meeting M'. Whitman preached from 2 Cor. 8. 9. 
October begins 
Oct. I. This day . . . nil remarkable occurs, Saving y* Tergi- 
versation and Sophistry of some men. See y' Evening post 
for monday Last.° 

— 3. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y^ Sacra- 

ment ... 

— 5. This day went to Litchfield, to y* association^ there. 

— 6. This day Lecture at Litchfield M^ Marsh preached from 

rev. II. 10. a stormy tempestuous day 

— 9. This day . . . rec**. a letter from my uncle James with 

an ace" of y* affairs of y* East 

— 10. Lords day I preached . . . Laboured under weakness 

. . George Alcot owned y* Covenant his son George 
was baptized. 

— 12. M"". Eliot here at night. 

— 13. This day went to Farmington, preached from Eph. 2. 10. 

— 14. This day went to y^ west Division to a wedding, Daniel 

Skinner & Jerusha Whiting married — 

— 17. Lords day I preached . . . and at night from rom. 5. 

12. to y^ negroes. 

— 23. This day . . . brother Lewis here from Boston. 



' A nie^ p. 80, note. 

^ The Evejiing Post, published in Boston, began to be issued under that title in August, 1735, 
succeedinjr to a paper called the Weekly Rehearsal. The article in the Post to which Mr. Wads- 
worth refers was a letter by Rev. Gilbert Tennent in partial disavowal of the extravagancies of 
some of the revivalistic itinerants ; a disavowal, however, which, in view of many of Mr. Tennent's 
own and frequent utterances, not unreasonably occasioned the use by Mr. Wadsworth of the epi- 
thets above employed. 

3 This Association at Litchfield among other " resolves" passed this one respecting troubles 
at Goshen : " This Association having heard that some difificultys have arisen in Goshen by Reason 
of the singing of Doctr. Watts psalms in publick Worship, wee advise that for the present they use 
only our common Version of the psalms of David in publick worship." 



1 7421 wadsworth's diary 93 

— 24. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Frances y* 

daughter of Daniel Brace, rec** at night a letter from uncle 
James &". 

— 27. M'. Marsh of Kent here at night. 

— 30. This day . . . received a letter from uncle James by 

Capt. Marsh. 

— 31. Lords day I preached A:M: from heb. 12. i. and P.M. from 

I. Joh. 3. 10. Went thro' my work with some difficulty. 

November begins 
Nov. 2. This day County Court. Visited poor Anne Williamson 
a distracted crazy creature I pray God to relieve and help 
her and restore to health and soundness of body and mind. 

— 3. . . . M^ Hopkins of Springfield here. 

— 4. This day ... in y* afternoon a lecture. I preached 

from rev. i. 5. 

— 7. Lords day 1 preached A:M: from Cant. i. 3. and adminis- 

tred y' Sacrament, and F.M: from i Cor. 6. i. 

— 10. This day . . saw somewhat very disagreeable in a 

friend, o y' God would save him from y* destroyer 

— 1 1. This day a publick thanks giving throughout Connecticutt. 

I preached from psal. 118. 29. a very cold day . . 

— 12. A very cold day. nil remarkable occurs, y* great river 

shut. 

— 14. Lords day I preached A:M: from Ezk. 22. 14, and P.M: 

also, at night preached to y* negroes at y* school house from 
Eph. 2. 3. 

— 15. This day I went to Farmington found my friends in usual 

health. Laus Deo. The great river froze over last friday 
which is earlier I suppose than it was ever known to do 

— t6. I returned from Farmington found my family well Laus 

Deo. I hear y' last Sabbath was a Conventicle at D. Bulls, 
present of my people D. B. and J. S. I pray god to shew y" 
y' evil of so doing 

— 21. Lords day M^ T. Woodbridge of Hatfield preached for me 

A.M. from phil. 3. and M^ McChinstry ' P.M: from matt: 

II. 28. 

— 22. . . . at night visited by some uneasy members, I pray 

y* god would prevent y" going astray, Save y" from disorder 

' Rev. John AfcKinstry of Ellington, born in Scotland ; graduated at University of Edinburg 
1712; awhile at Sutton, Mass.; installed at Ellington about 1733, though he had been resident 
there three years previous ; dismissed 1749 ; died January, 1753. 



94 wadsworth's diary [1743 

and confusion, dispose y"^ to hearken to advice, give me grace 
to behave aright under all trials and temptations 

— 28. Lords day I preached . . . and at night to y* negroes 

in y* school house. . . . 
December begins 
Dec. I. This day went to y' West Division to visit M'. Colton. a 
pleasant conversation o Lord appear, I pray to heal the 
Divisions of this poor Town. 

— 2. This day a lecture P.M. M'. Whitman preached from 2. 

Cor. 14. 15. 

— 3. This day . . . M^ Burr of Worcester here. . . . 

— 8. This day was buried Susanna McLean y* wife of M^ Allan 

McLean. 

— 12. Lords day I preached . . . and at night to y' Negroes 

at y* school house from 2 Cor. 5. 10. . . . 

— 14. This day . . . reckoned with y* Societies Com"'^ due 

to me ;^62. 7'. 3''. 

— 15. . . . discoursed and prayed with a sick woman, I pray 

god y' her awakening may prove a saving conversion 

— 19. Lords day I preached pr. totum from Eph. 2. 4. 5. . . . 

went thro' my work with less difficulty than at many other 
times . . . 

— 22. This day visited M"". Woodbridge I pray god to heal him 

and to restore him to usefulness again 

— 26. Lords day I preached . . . and in y*" evening at y* 

school house to y* negroes from i thes. 5. 2. . . 

— 27. This day I paied to M'. John Lawrence 7-0-6. on ace", of 

John Fowler of Symsbury and ;^5-o-o in money on my own 
ace". I yet owe him eight pound, visited a sick child and 
prayed with it. 

— 28. . . . M\ Collins here at night. 

— 30. This day ... a lecture. I preached from Eph. 5. i. 

— 31. This day in study, y* month and year concludes, god 

give me a happy entrance upon another 

January begins [1743] 

Jany. 2. Lords day I preached A: M. from rev. 5. 9. administred 
y' Sacrament and P.M. from luk. 13. 8. May thy blessing o 
god attend thy word. 

— 4. reading magazines &*. nil remarkable at night discoursed 

with an uneasy member I pray god to convince him I cant. 



1743] wadsworth's diary 95 

— 7. This day little Study, much visited, under great perplexity 

and trouble. 

— 9. Lords day I preached A:M: from luk. 13. 14. and P.M. from 

heb. 2. 6. and at night at y' school house from rom. 5. i. went 
thro' my work with great difficulty, y* Lord bless his word. 

— 13. Study. Conversing with an offender, I pray God to bring 

him to his duty, Lord thou canst turn y° hearts of y* children 
of men, change I pray and turn his heart. 

— 14. this day was buried y' son of Edward Cadwell Jun^ y' was 

born on Wednesday night last 

— 16. Lords day I preached . . . Laboured under much 

difficulty . . . 

— 17. . . This day M". Waters was interred, aged 88 

— 20. This day visited an aged disciple indisposed. I 

pray god to heal him and prolong his Life 

— 23. Lords day I preached A:M: from Joh. 12. 38. and P.M: 

from Joh. 12. 38. and at night from col. 4. 5. at y* School 
house . . . 

— 25. at night conversed with an uneasy dissatisfied person I 

pray god to rectify his mistakes, to give him a right spirit, and 
me grace to discharge my duty to him and all others under 
like circumstances y' I may be concerned with. 

— 27. This day . . . I married Isaac Clark and Ruth Spencer 

— 28. My daughter Abigails birth day. thanks to god for her 

life 

— 30. Lords day preached A:M. from Joh. 12. ^8. and P.^L from 

Job. 31. 14. 
Feb. 1742/3 
Feby. I. This day y* Association met at my house, advised Syms- 
bury to M'. Estabrook &^ 

— 2. This day lecture M'. White of Bolton preached from 

Isai. 55. I. y* association broke up. 

— 4. This day Study, conversation in y* evening with one called 

a new light. 

— 6. l^ords day I preached . . . and administred y* Sacra- 

ment and at night from Eph. 2. 17. at y* school house. 

— 7. This day Laboured under indisposition of body, did little 

business, writ a letter at night to go to Doct'. Chauncey 

— 8. . . . rec**. a letter from an uneasy member of our church, 

I i^ray God to open his eyes to show him wherein he is in a 
mistake and assist and direct me to discharge my duty faith- 
fully to him. 



96 wadsworth's diary [1743 

— 9. . . . visited a distressed parishoner. I pray god to heal 

and restore to soundness of body and mind, and o y' god 
would put a stop to y* growth of intemperance among us. 

— 10. . . . Conversed with a man under suspicion of Scandal, 

and also another y' has withdrawn from y^ publick worship, I 
pray god to bring y"" both to y'. duty. 

— 13. Lords day I preached pr. totum from Gal. 19. 20. 21. 

— 15. This day spent at Southington &.". the Councel unani- 

mously agreed it was not expedient to dismiss M''. Curtis.' 

— 16. This day as before at Southington, M'. Colton preached, 

y* result of the Councel published &". returned home found 
my family well Laus Deo. 

— 18. This day dejected, little study. I pray God to direct me 

to a suitable and seasonable text on which to make a sermon 
tomorrow if I am bro't to see y^ light of y' day. 

— 20. Lords day I preached A:M: from psal. 112. 7 and P.M: 

from heb. 10. 24. 25. and in y* evening at y' School house 
from Eph. 2. 10. 

— 22. This day visiting &". at night discoursed with some un- 

easy members but to little purpose 

— 24. This day went to west Division to Consult &^ advised 

Symsbury people to wait patiently on god in y' way of his 
providence &'. at night discoursed with 2 members of the 
Church y' are wandering out of y* way. 
• — 27. Lords day I preached . . . o Lord heal our divisions. 

— 28. ... O Lord god direct and guide me in this difficult 

day . . . 

March begins 
Mch. 2. This day at Court, visiting &^ rec"* a letter from Doct'. 
Chauncey &^ 

— 3. This day prayed at Court, lecture in y^ afternoon at M'. 

Whitmans meeting, he preached from rom. 5. 10. 

— 6. Lords day I preached A.M. from rev. 19. 9. and administred 

y' Sacrament, and P.M. M'. Burr of ^V■orcester preached for 
me . . . and I baptized Hannah y^ daughter ^i Sam". 
Graham and Mary y* daughter of Daniel Badger Jun^ 

— 7. A stormy Tempestuous day. visited and prayed with a sick 

child, and a young woman y* is Languishing, and that never 
had but little if any reason 



1 Difficulties had arisen at Southington owing to the attitude of Mr. Curtis toward the New 
Measures of the Awakening. He took, like the Hartford ministers, a conservative position, and 
incurred the dislike of a majority of his congregation. The trouble was smoothed over for awhile, 
but resulted in his dismission in 1755. 



^ 1743] WADSWORTIl'S DIARY 97 

— 9. Bethia the daughter of Sam". Shepherd was interred. She 

died on monday night last. 

— 11. little study, rec**. M'. Calamys caveat against y* new 

prophets from M'. Ruggles.' 

— 13. Lords day I preached A:M: from luk. 8. 12. and P.M: from 

rom. 6. I. 

— 14. This day . . . reading concerning y* french prophets 

— 15. This day visited M^ Woodbridge found him better than I 

expected. Saw a Letter directed to him, M'. Ozias Pitkin, 
and M'. William Pitkin, y* most abominable thing y' almost 
ever I saw.'' 

— 17. This day not very profitably spent, Little Study, diverted 

by Various affairs — rec''. a letter from Govern^ Law desiring 
me, if M^ Steel fails to preach y* Election Sermon' 

— 20. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Jerusha y* 

daughter of M'. James Bicknel, and at night preached at the 
school house from heb. 4. 13. 

— 21. This day to little profit. M". Stiles of N. Haven here. 

— 23. This day in Study &'. M'. White of Bolton here in y* 

afternoon. . . . 

— 24. This day went over y* river. Lecture there, M\ Hunting* 

preached from psal. 73. 27. Lord have Compassion on that 
people and provide for them 

— 27. Lords day I preached . . . Stephen Turner and his 

wife owned y* Covenant. 

— 29. This day Study &'. received a letter from my uncle James 

Dated at Norwich March 25. 1743. o Lord look with Com- 
passion on this Land, save us from error, heresy & confusion 

— 31. Lecture in y* afternoon I preached from heb. 12. 2. may 

the blessing of god attend what has been spoken. 



» Rev. Thomas Ruggles of Guilford, born in that place Nov. 27, 1704 ; grad. V. C. 1723 ; 
ordained at Guilford March 26, 1729 ; Fellow of Y. C. from 1746 till his death Nov. 20, 1770. He 
was an Old Light ; a man of considerable scholarship ; published several sermons, and left a manu- 
script history of Guilford, since printed. 

2 Troubles in East Hartford growing out of Mr. Woodbridge's disability and the unsuccessful 
attempts to settle a colleague pastor had been increasing for a good while. In connection with 
some phase of this affair Roger Bidwell wrote the letter above referred to. Upon which he was by 
complaint brought before the General Assembly charged with " making and publishing a false, 
scandalous, infamous libel against Ozias Pitkin, William Pitkin Esquires and the Rev. Mr. Samuel 
Woodbridge in particular." Bidwell pleaded guilty ; was adjudged disabled of voting in any public 
meeting, or acting on any jury, and was bound over to keep the peace under penalty. 

' Mr. Steel as before noticed (p. 14, note) kept the appointment, and spared Mr. Wadsworth 
the necessity. 

* Jonathan Huntting ; one of the several candidates recommended as colleagues to Rev. Mr. 
Woodbridge at East Hartford. He was born at East Hampton, L. I., in October, 1714; grad. V. 
C. 1735 ; failed early in health, and " became a small merchant in his native town," dying ther 
Sept. 3, 1750, in his 36th year. 
13 



98 wadsworth's diary [i743 

April 1743 
Apl. 3. Lords day I preached A.M. . . . and administred y' 
Sacrament and P.M. M^ Marsh' of Kent preached ... at 
night I preached at y^ school house from luk. 12. 31. 

— 4. This day visiting &". hardly best to Invite M'. E:" to 

preach &^ 

— 6. This day a lecture at Farmington M^ E. Whitman preached 

from Cant. i. 3. 

— 6. This day brother John and myself finished y* partition of 

our Land, returned home found my family well. Laus Deo. 

— 8. M^ Eliot of Boston here, M'. Graham ' also. 

— 10. Lords day I preached from heb. 12. 2. per totum, and 

baptized mary y* daughter of W" Nickols. at night at y" School 
house 

— II. This day lecture M^ Colton preached from psal. 122. 8. 9. 

Freemans meeting Capt. Marsh and M'. Buckingham chosen 
deputies. 

— 13. This day publick fast. I preached A.M. from Ezk. 7. 5. 

and M'. Whitman P.M. from pr. 3. 25. may y^ prayers of gods 
people be heard. 

— 16. I am exercised with many thoughts about y* times, I pray 

God direct assist and strengthen me in this difficult day, o 
Lord in thee do I trust. 

— 17. Lords day I preached p^ totum from Matt. 22. 32. 38. 39. 40. 

baptized Elizabeth y* daughter of Thom. Loree. O Lord 
appear for and help and relieve me I pray under all my 
difficulties. 

— 20. This day overseeing business, workmen &". pleasant 

weather; wearied with y* affairs of this present evil world. 

— 21. This day reading y^ christian History study &^ 



' Rev. Cyrus Marsh, born in Plainfield March 14, 1718-ig ; grad. Y. C. 1739 ; ordained over 
a new church gathered at Kent, May 6, 1741. He was Old Light in his sympathies and in some 
trouble with his congregation thereabout. He left the ministry under something of a cloud, but 
represented the town in the General Assembly in May, 1761, and for twelve or more sessions after- 
ward. He died June 9, 1771. 

* Probably the Mr. Eliot spoken of two days later. He was Rev. Andrew Eliot, born about 
1719 ; grad. H. C. 1737 ; ordained at Boston, as colleague with Mr. Webb at the New North Church, 
April 14, 1742. Mr. Wadsworth's hesitation about invnting him to preach was probably owing to 
apprehension respecting his position on the New-Measures question of the day ; an apprehension 
which his companionship with Rev. John Graham tended to increase. 

3 Rev. John Graham, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1694 ; educated as a physician at Glas- 
gow ; came to America in 1718 ; ordained at Stafford, May 25, 1723 ; dismissed for inadequate 
support 1731 ; installed at what is now Southbury, Jan. 17, 1733 ; died in office Dec. ii, 1774. He 
was an ardent advocate of Whitefiejd and the New-Measures generally. 



1743] wadsworth's diary 99 

— 24. Lords day I preached from rom. 6. 17. per totum I pray 

god bless his word . . . 

— 25. This day reading Baxters Saints everlasting Rest. Messr*. 

Steel and White here 

— 28. In y* afternoon a Lecture at M'. Whitmans meeting he 

preached from Eph. i. 6. 
May, 1743. 
May I. Lords day I preached p'. totum from heb. 2. 17. and ad- 
ministred y' Sacrament, baptized Levi y* son of Elisha Pratt, 
preached at night at y' school house from Joh. 9. 4. 

— 2. This day reading in Flavel &". a little rainy vi^eather. dies 

fere sine linea. 

— 3. This day some Study, a Com**', of the east here, y' asso- 

ciation Com'**, advised them to M'. David Judson' to preach 
for y". 

— 6. This day Study, god be pleased to grant me his gracious 

assistance in finishing y* discourse I have begun upon a future 
Judgment, y' it may be an instructive, awakening discourse 
and if I have opportunity to deliver it may it be accompanied 
with thy blessing, o Lord. 

— 8. Lords day I preached A:M: from heb. 2. 17. and P.^L from 

rom. I. 18. I pray God to bless what was spoken . . 

— 10. visited M'. Woodbridge, found him much in y* same state 

as to health he has for some time been in. 

— II. This day little Study. Several good friends visited me. 

may y* blessing of God rest on y" 

— 12. This day Election &*. y* Govern'. Dep: Govern^ and Assist- 

ants as in y* year past saving y* Colon'. Bulkley was chosen in 
y* room of Col: Huntington. 

— 15. Lords day M'. Webster preached for me A.M. from Matt. 

27. 37. and P.M. I preached from act. 17. 31. and baptized 
Susannah y* daughter of Stephen Turner 

— 16. This day little Study, rainy weather, more news of y* 

awfull outbreakings of gross sin in y* Land 

— 18. This day . . . rec* a letter from M'. Hunn. 

— 20. This day Study &^ discoursed with a person under Con- 

siderable concern y* general assembly resolved to call M'. 



' Rev. David Judson, born in Stratford, Sept. 26, 1715 ; grad. V. C. 1738; ordained at New- 
town, Sept. 21, 1743; died in office Sept. 24, 1776. Under his leadership and in consequence of 
sermons preached and published by him the major part of his church and society in 1773 rejected 
that part of the Saybrook Platform relating to church discipline, and renounced connection with 
Fairfield Consociation. 



L.yc. 



loo wadsworth's diary [1743 

Owen ' to an account for his opprobrious expressions relating 
to y' Civil authority 

— 22. Lords day I preached A:M from heb. 13. 9. . . . and 

P.TVI: from act. 17. 31. and at night from heb. 10. 31. Laboured 
under much indisposition 

— 25. This day indisposed, read something in Baxter tV. visited 

at night by some gentlemen of y^ general assembly. 

— 26. This day visited y^ prison &^ discoursed y* negroe woman 

committed on suspicion of murdering her child. She denies y'' 
fact. 

— 27. This day under some perplexity and difficulty, y*" gen". 

Court adjourned I prayed at y'' close of y' Court. 

— 29. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Anne y' 

daughter of Daniel Butler and Hannah y* daughter of Thomas 
Welles Jun''. o Lord bless I pray my poor Labours. 

— 30. Visited NP. Colton. . . . y* man y' was drowned on y* 

13 instant found this day 
June begins 
June 2. lecture P.M. I preached from rom. 4. 25. . . . 

— 4. Lord prepare my heart for y* duties of y* Sabbath, to ap- 

proach to y* table of y* Lord 

— 5. Lords day I preached A.M. i. Cor. 11. 23. 24. 25. and ad- 

ministred y^ Sacram'. and P: M. from act. 3. 26. and in y^ even- 
ing at y* school house from luk. 12. 5. I pray God 
succeed my weak Labours. 

— 7. This day went to y^ assoc". at Bolton. ° 

— 8. This day Lecture at Bolton, M^ Whitman of Hartford 

preached from Ezekiel 36. 26. 

— 9. returned from Bolton, found my family well, Laus Deo. 

heard y* a man was killed yesterday at Wethersfield with y* 
thunder, may I be prepared for my own great and Last 
change. 

— 10. . . . yesterday a Negro fellow was committed to prison 

for committing a rape between Middletown and Haddam ; 
great are y* outbreakings of sin in y' Land. 



' Rev. John Owen of Groton. He was a native of Braintree, Mass.; grad. H. C. in 1723 ; or- 
dained at Groton in November, 1727, and died in 1753. The occasion of IMr. Owen's " defamatory 
and invective speeches Against the laws and authority of this government" was probably his dis- 
like of the stringent legislative enactments against the itinerants and kindred measures. He 
acknowledged his fault, asked "pardon for what he had done amiss" and promised "to teach and 
yield due obedience " for the time to come. Whereupon the Assembly accepted his confession and 
ordered him dismissed on payment of costs, which amounted to ^4. 11s. 6d. 

* One of the questions raised at this meeting of the Association was : " Whether males under 
the age of Twenty one years and slaves that are members in full communion with a church are to 
be allowed to give their Vote in matters of Discipline in the church ? Resolved in the Negative." 



1743] wadsworth's diary 



lOI 



— 12. Lords day I preached . . . baptized Thomas y* son 

of Thomas Andrews Jun^ 

— 13. This day reading M\ Fishers pamphlet relating to y« relig- 

ious commotions in Scotland. 

— 19. Lords day I preached . . . Laboured under weakness 

and difficulty in speaking 

— 22. This day reading &^ AL. Edwards of Scantick and his 

wife here on a visit. 

— 26. Lords day I preached p". totum from luk. 19. 27. Cate- 

chised y' children in y* afternoon as I did also y' last Sabbath: 
at night preached at y* School house from 2 rev. 21. 22 

— 28. Visited IVr. Woodbridge in y* afternoon . . 

— 30. A lecture in y* afternoon at M'. Whitmans meeting he 

preached from Cant. i. 4. 

J >•'•>' 1743 
July 3. Lords day I preached A.M. from Matt. 16. 21. and admin- 
istred y* Sacrament and P.M. from Act. 20. 21. went thro' 
my work with great difficulty, my strength seems to fail me, 
speaking hurts me exceedingly: Lord may thy blessing at- 
tend on my weak Labours 

— 5. This day reading M^ Hookers book entitled y*" doubting 

christian drawn to Christ.' 

— 6. This day visited M'. Colton &°. read a sermon of Doct'. 

Doddridges on the character of y* unregenerate 

— 7. reading Doct^ Doddridges Sermons on regeneration. May 

I be enabled to make a due improvment of y™. 

— 9. This day I was exercised with great pain. . . . disabled 

from business 

— 10. Lords day my illness abated, but not able to go out I 

pray god to be with my people and bless y* means y^ enjoy. 

— II. This day almost recovered to usual health, blessed be God 

for it. read something in Docf Doddridges Sermons. 

— 12. This day reading &°. in y' afternoon my wife was deliv- 

ered of a son.^ blessed be god for it. God grant she may be 
raised up to health and strength and y' life of y* child be pre- 
served and wee have grace to bring it up in his fear. 

— 17. Lords day I preached A.M. from Act. 20. 21. and P.M. 

from 2 pet. 3. 9. and baptized my son Jeremiah and Olive y* 



' A nte, p. 69, note. 

'Jeremiah; afterward Commissary General of the Continental Army; delegate 1786-8 to 
the Continental Congress; representative from 1789 to 1795 in the National Congress; died in 
Hartford April 30, 1804. 



I02 wadsworth's diary [1743 

daughter of Moses Cadwell. I laboured under great weakness 
and bodily indisposition. 

— 19. in y'^ afternoon visited M^ VVoodbridge 

— 21. This day reading Baxter &^ in the afternoon visited M'. 

Bissell of Wintonbury. a thunder storm at night will god 
prevent y* awfull effects y' sometimes attend such storms 

— i4. Lords day I preached . . . and propounded Daniel 

Skinner to own y* Covenant. ... at night preached at y' 
School house from luk. 8. 12. 

— 31. Lords day M'. Morison preached for me, A:M: from psal. 

65. 9. and P.M from Job. 13. 15. Daniel Skinner owned the 
Covenant and his daughter Jerusha was baptized 
August begins 
Aug. I. This day visited and prayed with a sick woman in y*^ fore- 
noon, in the afternoon visited y* criminals in prison and prayed 
with y". . . . 

— 2. This day in y* morning visited a poor woman adying, she 

died before I left y* house. . . . 

— 3. This day . . . y* wife of Thomas Andrews Jun'. was 

buried. 

— 4. This day . . . visited y* prisoners ; in the afternoon 

preached a lecture from i. cor. 5. 8. 

— 5. This day ... an Infant born before its time buried. 

viz. Isaac Clarks. 

— 7. Lords day I am by and by to administer y*" Sacrament, 

God permitting, and what now is the state of my soul, art 
thou at peace with God. I humbly hope I am I think if I 
know myself and w' faith is I have believed on Christ; Lord I 
believe help mine unbelief. preached A.M. from rom. 5. 6 
and administred y^ Sacrament, in y* afternoon from psal. 39. 9. 
and baptized Christian y* daughter of Abraham Cadwell. 
at night preached at y* School house from luk. 13. 24. 

— 8. . . . in y' afternoon visited and prayed with poor Ann 

Williamsson. . 

— 9. This day entred into a serious examination of my state 

which I have written and purpose to transcribe into this 
Diary ' 

— 10. This day went over y* river to visit M". Woodbridge and 



' A purpose, happily, left unfulfilled. That Mr. Wadsworth was a devout, sincere Christian, 
no one who reads this Diary can doubt. The narrower "examination" he inflicted upon himself if 
recorded would have pained others besides himself. 



17431 WADSWORTH*S DIARY IO3 

to Scantick to visit M'. Edwards, returned home found my 
family well Laus Deo. 

— II. This day visited y' Negroes in prison found one of y°' 

something penitent, the other pretty far from being so 

— 14. Lords day I preached per totum from i pet. i. 15. and 

baptized Samuel the son of Barzillai Clark, went thro' my 
work with difficulty. Labouring under much weakness. . . . 

— 15. This day dejected . . . read something in Baxters 

Saints everlasting rest. 

— 17. This day went to Durham, found my friends well Laus Deo. 

— 18. This day returned home found my family well Laus Deo. 

blessed be God that has preserved me in my outgoings and 
returning. . . . 

— 19. This day visited y* negroes in prison, one of y" seems to 

be considerably penitent. 

— 21. Lords day preached p^ totum from luk 8: 21. and at night 

in y' school house from phil. 3. 18. 19. 

— 22. Visited y* sick &''. M'. White here at night 

— 23. This day visited M^ Colton. Visited a sick man and 

prayed with him &°. 

— 24. Visited M^ Woodbridge in y*" forenoon, in y* afternoon 

visited the negroes in prison, one of y" seems to be much 
affected and concerned. 

— 25. This day reading Edwards history of errors' &'. 

— 26. this day is eleven year since I came to live in this Town. 

hitherto y* Lord has preserved me blessed be his name. 

— 28. Lords day I preached . . . Laboured under great dif- 

ficulty in speaking. 

— 30. This day visited a sick man & prayed with him twice, y' 

Last time apprehended him to be adying, but he revived. I 
pray God to raise him up to health. 

— 31. Went to the west Division to a meeting of y" association 

Com'", returned home safely Laus Deo. 
September begins 
Sept. I. This day in y^ forenoon visited a woman in great distress, 
in y" afternoon Lecture at M'. Whitmans meeting. M'. Whit- 
man preached from i Joh. 3. 5. Visited y^ negroes and prayed 
with y"". 



» Gangraena, or a Catalogue and Discovery of many of the Errors. Heresies, Blasphe- 
mies and pernicious Practices of the Sectaries of this time, by Thomas Edwards, a Presbyterian 
minLstcr of England, published in 1646. 



104 WADSWORTH*S DIARY [1743 

— 4. Lords day I preached A:M. from heb. 7. 26. and adminis- 

tred y* Lords Supper and P. M: from Isai. 65. 2. and baptized 
Aaron y" son of Lieu'. John Cook. 

— 5. y* forenoon spent in prayer for M"". Austin grievously sick, 

with a number of christians, in y* afternoon visiting y* sick in 
my own parish. ... at night M'. John Austin died. 

— 6. This day visited a sick woman in y* forenoon, in y* after- 

noon prayed at Court visited y* negroes in Goal read Doct^ 
Chaunceys book upon y* times' &:" 

— 7. . . . M^ John Austin Interred, this day died y* widow 

Clark in 71 year of her age 

— 8. This day prayed at Court &^ M^ Eliot of Kellingsworth 

here in y^ forenoon, and M'. Eliot of Boston at night, y* 
widow Clark Interred at night 

— 9. . . . y* Grandjurors found y* bill against y' 3 negroes in 

prison. I pray God to give y^ poor criminals repentence 

— II. Lords day I preached A:M: from Job 16. 22 and P.M. from 

Isai. 65. 2. I pray God to bless his word . . . 

— 12. This day M''. Hancock and M'. Smith here in y^ forenoon. 

Kate a negroe wench Tried this day for y^ murder of her child 
and found guilty 

— 14. Commencement at N. Haven, the affairs of y" commence- 

ment conducted with decency and order 

— 18. Lords day I preached A.M. from rev. 21. 8. and P.M. from 

Act 10. 43. and baptized John y* son of Thomas Croswell 

— 19. . . . Visited y' condemned prisoners, found one y" 

very stupid. 

— 20. This day Freemans meeting Capt: Marsh and M''. Buck- 

ingham chosen Deputies 

— 21. This day visited y^ condemned prisoners, found one of 

y" very stupid, and in an undesirable condition. 

— 25. Lords day I preached per totum from luk. 13. 3. and bap- 

tized Susannah y^ daughter of Samuel Flagg and at night 
preached at y* school house from rev. 7. 14. 

— 27. This day visited y^ condemned Negroes found y" but little 

affected with y^ condition 

— 29. This day lecture in y^ afternoon I preached from psal. 

73. 28 



> Dr. Charles Chauncey's Seasonable Thoughts on the State of Religion in Nezo England, 
now just published. Among the Hartford subscribers for this celebrated volume are to be found 
Rev. D. Wadsworth, Rev. Elnathan Whitman, Rev. Benjamin Colton, Mrs. Abigail Woodbridge 
(three copies), Mr. John Cook, Mr. David Ensign, Mr. John Whiting, Mr. Stephen Steel. Rev. 
Samuel Whitman of Farmington subscribed for two copies. 



1/431 WADSWORTIl's DIARY lO^ 

October 1743 
Oct. I. This clay in Study, visited y^ negroe man condemned to 
die, prayed with him. 

— 2. Lords day I preached . . . admitted Agnes Humphreys 

into y* church and adminstred y' Sacrament . . . 

— 3. . . . visited y' prisoners condemned to die 

— 4. This day went to y* association at Southington, M'. Adoni- 

jah Bidwell' and IV'P. Noah Welles'^ were examined and 
Licensed to preach. 

— 5. This day Lecture at Southington M^ Collins preached 

from prov. 12. 26. y* next association to be at y* West Divi- 
sion on y* i" Tuesday in Feb. M'. Bartholomew to preach, 
y* next at Farmington M\ Steel to preach, y* 1" Tuesday in 
June, y* next at Wellington, I am appointed to preach. 

— 9. Lords day I preached . . . and at night at y' school 

house from rom. i. 18. 

— 10. Visited y^ sick, in y" afternoon visited >P. \\'oodl)ridge 

found him much better than usual 

— II. This day visited y' negroes under sentence of death in y' 

forenoon, in the afternoon visited a sick man. 

— 12. . . . ^^^ Merrick^ of Branford here at night. 

— 13. This day writing a letter to a friend in England .^ . 

Wrote a letter also to a friend at New-Haven 

— 14. . . . Visited also y* negroes in goal, o y* god would 

give y'" repentence unto salvation. 

— 16. Lords day I preached per totum from Deut. 5. 29. y' Lord 

bless his word and make it effectual. 

— 18. Visited prisoners under sentence of death. Lord give y" 

repentence unto salvation 

— 19. This day went to y* West Division to visit I\L. Colton. re- 

turned found my family well, Laus Deo. 

— 21. Visited y* prisoners . . . 



' Hum ill Hartford, Oct. i8, 1716; grad. Y. C. 1740; ordained Oct. 5, 1744 ; chaplain of the 
Connecticut fleet in the Cape Breton expedition of 1745 ; installed at Tyringham now Monterey, 
Mass., Oct. 3, 1750; died in office June 2, 1784. His journal of the Cape Breton expedition is 
printed in the A'. £. Historical and Genealogical Register, volume .\xvii, pp. 153-59. 

" Born in Colchester Sept. 25, 1718 ; grad. V. C. 1741 ; teacher of Hopkins Gmnimar School 
in Hartford while studying theology ; recommended by Hartford North -Association in 1742 to the 
troublesome Kast Hartford pulpit to aid Mr. Woodbridge ; ordained at Stamford iJec. 31, 1746; 
died in office of jail-fever contracted while ministering to British prisoners Dec. 31, 1776. He was 
Fellow of V. C. 1744 to his death ; preached the Election Sermon May 10, 1764 ; and published 
several Anti-F.piscopalian tracts in defence of Presbyterian ordination. 

' Rev. Jonathan .Merrick, born in Springfield, Mass., Aug. 13, 1700; grad. V. C. 1725 ; or- 
dained at North Branford at a date not precisely determined ; died June 27, 1772. A Fellow of \ . 
C. from 1763 to 1769, and in the divisions of the time an Old Light. 

14 



I06 WADSWORTIl'S DIARY [l743 

— 23. Lords day I preached A: M. from rev. 22. 12. and P.M: from 

Matt. 13. 44 . . . 

— 24. . . . Visited y*" prisoners . . 

— 27. . . . M^ John Skinner died aged [blank] in y* after- 

noon visited y" negroes in prison . . . y' Lord prepare 
those poor creatures for y"" great change. 

— 28. . . . in y* afternoon was Interred M^ John Skinner 

— 30. Lords day I preached p"". totum from psal. 90. 12. and ad- 

mitted Ruth Clark to full communion with y'' church, at 
night preached at y^ school house from rev. 3. 18. 
November begins 
Nov. I. Study &''. Visited y^ prisoners &■=. 

— 3. . . . in y* afternoon a lecture at AL. Whitmans meeting 

M"". Marsh preached from Jam. i. 15. 

— 4. . . . reC*. a letter from uncle James. 

— 6. Lords day I preached A.IVL from rev. 5. 21. and administred 

y^ Sacrament and P.M. from 1 tim. 6. 6. 

— 7. . . . Visited y* sick, and in y* afternoon y' prisoners 

. and prayed with y"' 

— 10. This day publick thanksgiving in Connecticutt. I preached 

from psal. 116. 12. blessed be y* Lord y* has preserved me 
4hro' another year and spared y* lives of my wife, children and 
servant, o y* wee might all live to y^ glory of God our 
preserver 

— II. . . . ^'isited y* prisoners . . . o Lord have pity on 

those poor creatures 

— 13. Lords day preached A.M. from Ezek. 18. 30 and P.M. from 

I tim. 6. 6. and baptized Nathaniel y* son of Daniel Cioodwin. 
14. Visited y*" prisoners . . . 

— 15. James Logan was buried who died last Lords day about 

noon. 

— 16. This day a lecture at our meeting house M'. E. Whitman 

preached from psal. 15. previous to y*" execution of Jack and 
Kate two negroes y* one condemned to die for a rape y^ other 
for murdering her child, y'' were executed about 3 o'clock 
P.M. may it be a warning to all others. 

— 19. . . . Went over y'' river at night 

— 20. Lords day I preached on y'' East Side of y* River A.M. 

from Deut. 13. 11. and P.M: from rom. 5. 1. 



1743] wadsworth's diary 107 

— 21. This day returnecl home found my family well. I,aus Deo. 

read the American Magazine' for y' month of Sept. 174,^ 

— 23. . . . reading Rutherfords sermons 

— 24. . . . writing a letter to Scotland ^:^ 

— 27. Lords day I preached A.M. from Deut. 13. 11. and I'.M. 

from Eph. 4. 29. and baptized James y"^ son of Samuel .Xndrus 
December 1743 
Dec. I. . . in y* afternoon a lecture 1 preached from phil. 

2. 8, at night married Hezekiah Marsh and Christian Edwards. 

— 4. Lords day I preached . . and administred y* Sacra- 

ment. 

— 8. This day . . . reed, a letter to go to a Councel at Wos- 

tershire 

— II. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Susanna y' 

daughter of Nehemiah ('adwell. y'^ Lord l)less his word and 
make it effectual 

— 13. Went to Weathersfield &^ Wrote a letter to Doct'. Dodd- 

ridge, by M^ Rod: Morison^ 

— 14. This day . . . delivered a letter to I\P. Rod: Morison 

to go to Doctor Doddridge. M^ Morison set out in order to 
embark at New London 

— 15. . . . at night Elijah Cadwell and Rebecca Burr were 

married 

— 18. Lords day I preached p' totum from gal. 22. 21, and bap- 

tized William the son of M'. Samuel Talcott, y' Lord bless 
him and make him a blessing. 

— 20. This day visiting &^ reed, a letter at night to go to a 

Councel at Southington the first Tuesday in January next 

— 21. . . . reckoned with y*^ Societies Com"'=^. at night 

— 25. Lords day I preached pr. totum from rom. 2. 14. I pray 

God to bless his word . 

— 28. This day reading y' Christian History &^ snowy weather 

— 29. This day reading iS:". in y' afternoon a lecture at M". 

Whitmans meeting M'. Whitman preached from rev. 7. 14. 
at night I preached at y* school house from rom. 10. 4. 



1 This was the first number of the American Magazine and Historical Chronicle. The 
work was issued three years and four months, at Boston, by Samuel Eliot and Joshua Blanchard, 
and then discontinued. 

5 Roderick Morison, a brother of Dr. Xormand and Rev. Evandcr Morison. He died in 
Hartford in 1751. 



io8 wadsworth's diary [1744 

January 1743/4- 
Jany. i. Lords day. I preached A.M. from i. pet. 18. 19. and ad- 
ministred y* Sacrament and P.M. from Jam. 4. 14. and y^ 
church chose Deac° Edwards a messeng' to go to a C'ouncel at 
Southington ' 

— 3. This day went to Southington to a Councel. y^ Councel 

opened &''. 

— 4. This day y^ Councel finished and I returned home, found 

my family well, Laus Deo. 

— 5. This day reading &". I pray God to direct me to a Suit- 

able subject on which to prepare a Sermon. Dreamed I saw 
D. L. w* does it portend. 

— 8. Lords day I preached p'. totum from heb. 12. 25. I pray 

y' god would bless his word . . . 

— 9. . . . wrote a letter to M^ Eliot at Boston 
^10. . . . M'. Collins here in y^ morning. 

— 12. This day in Study, at night preached at y* School house. 

. . direct o Lord and assist me I pray in preparing ser- 
mons for y* Sabbath 

— 13. This day in study, at night discoursed with a member of 

y' church under difficulty, y* Lord bring to a sense of his duty. 

— 15. Lords day I preached p". totum from rev. 2. 4. and bap- 

tized Levi the son of James Shepard. 

— 19. . . . in y" afternoon married Return Strong of Windsor 

to Sarah Nickols of Hartford. 

— 22. Lords day I preached p^ totum from Deut. 32. 28. and 

baptized Sarah y* daughter of John Lord 

— 24. This day visited a poor distressed woman M'. Hunn here. 

— 25. This day went to Farmington with my good friend M'. 

Hunn, heard M'. Adams* preach from Eph. 2. 8. 

— 27. This day . . . Br"". Cowles' here at night 

— 29. Lords day I preached per totum from Matt. 24. 42. and 

baptized John y* son of M'. Niel M^Lean and Obadiah y* son 
of Daniel Spencer. 



' Doubtless on some phase of the long controversy in the parish of Rev. Jeremiah Curtis 
(ante, p. 31) growing out of the Whitefieldian difficulties. A previous council in the year 1743 had 
been made the subject of great local wrangle and of appeal to legislative aid. 

* Probably Joseph Adams, who about this time was recommended by the Hartford North 
Association to the church in New Cambridge, now Bristol. He was born in Lebanon Aug. 26, 1717; 
grad. Y. C. 1740; preached, apparently, at various places in 1744-45, but settled in New Haven as 
an attorney and innkeeper, and died Oct. 16, 1782. 

3 Husband of Mr. Wadsworth's sister Sarah. 



1744] wadsworth's diary 109 

— 29. This day reading y' plain account' (^:^ visited M'. Wood- 

bridge. 

— 31. This day reading Christ; Loves' Sermons and I-'irniins 

Real Christian tS:'". 
February begins 
Feby. 2. This day lecture in y" afternoon. I preached from psal. 
105- 5- 

— 4. This day in Study. Lord prepare my heart for y duties of 

thine holy day O blessed Saviour may I meet thee at thine 
holy supper tomorrow, give me a devout frame, and help to 
lead in y' services of y'^ day as becomes a minister of thine 

— 5. Lords day I preached pr. totum frcMii John 21. 17. and ad- 

ministred y* Sacrament, y' Lord bless his word and make it 
effectual. 

— 6. This day . . . reading Tailor on y' doctrine of original 

sin " 

— 7. This day went to y' association at y" west division. 

— 9. . . . at night preached at y* school house from prov. 

2^. 26. 

— 12. l^ords day I preached per totum from psal. 106. 40. 41. 

— J 8. This day in Study, the C^omet y' appeared in y' west has 

bin seen of late in y*" east particularly as I am Informed on 
Wednesday morning this week, and on this day its said to 
have bin seen about y* middle of y* day about an hour before 
y* sun.* 



' Probably Hishop Benjamin Hoadly's Plain Account of the Nature and End p/ the Sac- 
ratiicnt of the Lord^s Supper^ published in 1735. 

' An English Presbyterian divine (1618-1651) executed under charge of treason against the 
Commonwealth. A voluminous and evangelic writer, who seems to have been made the victim per- 
haps of some personal indiscretions but more of the political exigencies of the turbulent hour of 
Charles Second's invasion of England at the head of a Scottish army. His books have been charac- 
terized as full of "plain practical doctrine, old divinity, sound, solid and conscience-searching 
truths." 

3 The Scriptural Doctrine 0/ Original Sin, a treatise by Rev. Dr. John Taylor, a Unitarian 
minister of Kirkstead in Lincolnshire, England. The book made a great impression on both sides 
the Atlantic, and drew forth elaborate answers both from John Wesley and Jonathan F^dwards. 

* The great comet of 1743-44 attracted the attention of European astronomers from itsappear- 
ance Dec. 9, 1743, to its evanishment in April or later, 1744. It was seen at noonday by obser\-ers in 
England, and all the countries to Italy. .\t Bologna it was observed seven successive days in full 
sunshine, being at some periods of the brightness of Sirius. Its most distinguishing feature, how- 
ever, was its multiple tail, being at different stages of its history apparently supplied with from 
three to five of these appendages. J. B. Hind, V. R. S., says of its course : " If elliptic at all, it 
will be a very remote posterity indeed that will be interested in its return. It is by no means im- 
probable that the appearance of this splendid comet in 1743-44 constituted its first visit to this part 
of the universe." In Ames' Almanack for 1745 he gives a metrical table of important chronological 
events in which he records it as one year : 

"Since in our Skies there blaz'd an awful Star, Presaging Earthquake and a General War." 



no wadsworth's diary [i744 

— 19. Lords day I preached per totum from luk. 14. 19. y*" Lord 

bless his word and may it be a word in season, at night 
warned a church meeting to be on Tuesday next at 2 oclock 
P.M. 

— 20. This day Study, in y' morning about half an hour before 

sun rise I saw y^ comet in y* east about 3 quarters of an hour 
high. 

— 21. This day had a Church meeting, y*" Church voted y* James 

Shepard be called to an account for going to y' separate meet- 
ing iv". and for absenting from y* publick worship, and y' Jos. 
Wadsworth Jun'. appear before y*" church y' y^ church may 
hear what he has to say as to the objections made ag'. his 
owning y* covenant. 

— 23. . . . in y*^ evening preached at y* School house from 

psal. 41. 4 

— 26. Lords day I preached per totum from Col. i. 18. I pray 

god to bless it . . . 

— 28. This day a chh meeting heard Joseph Wadsworth and 

James Shepards case adjourned y* meeting to y'^ 3'* Tues- 
day in March. 

— 29. This day study &^ I pray God to assist and direct me in 

y' way of my duty heal y'^ difficulties and division in y* chh 
o Lord support me I pray under all y* reproaches and injurious 
treatment I meet with, may I bear it with a christian spirit 
March begins 
March i. This day Lecture at y* S. meeting AL. Whitman 

preached from Joh: 19. 34. in y* evening I preached at y* 
School house from Matt. 6. 29. 

— 4. Lords day I preached A.M. from rom. 5. 8. and administred 

y' Sacrament and P.M: from phil. 4. 18. Pricilla negro pro- 
pounded to own y^ covenant. 

— 6. This day . . . M"". Steel here. Uncle James at night. 

— 7. This day uncle William here, in y^ afternoon I attended a 

meeting of y' proprietors of Hartland.' 

— II. Lords day I preached . and baptized Nathaniel y* 

son of Joseph Olcot and Ruth y' daughter of Jedediah 
Richards. God bless his word . . . 



1 The territory now known as Hartland was part of those lands granted by the General Court 
in 1687 to the towns of Windsor and Hartford " to make a plantation or villages thereon." Con- 
troversy subsequently arising, it was in 1726 agreed that the lands should be divided and a half of 
them confirmed to Hartford and Windsor. By deeds of partition in 1732 " four parcels of land lying 
within said tract were set out to the patentees of the town of Hartford," and one of them was 
named Hartland, /. e. Hartford land. The first proprietors' meeting was held in Hartford, July 10, 
1733. Others followed as above. 



174-ll WADSWORTIl's DIARY 111 

— 13. This day . . . AF. White of Bolton here. 

— 15. This day . . . in y' afternoon Joined 1-Al\vard Dod and 

Rebecca Barnard in marriage 

— 18. Lords day I preached A:M. from Deut. 32. 15. And I'.M: 

from Amos 5. 6. God grant that his word may take deep rotjt 

— 20. This day a church meeting, the church voted Joseph 

Wadsworth Jun^ not to be admitted to own y' coven', and 
James Shepard to render satisfaction ^^;^ or be censured 

— 25. Lords day M'. Morison preached A:]M: from Josh. 24. 15. 

and I preached P.M. from psal. 32. 5. and baptized Rachel 
y* daughter of Joseph Shepard Jun^ Pricilla a negro woman 
made a pubHcl< confession ^;^ owned y' Covenant and was 
baptized. 

— 28. This day in Study. Rector Clap here at night. 

— 29. This day lecture in y' afternoon I preached from i. Cor. 

'5- 3- 

— 30. This day M'. Clap went from hence. 

April begins 
April I. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y* Sac- 
rament and . . . had a contribution for Richard Seymour 
and Sam". Jones of Canaan ' 

— 5. This day went to Weathersfield preached at night at y' 

School house from Jam. 4. 14. 
^^ 6. This day . . . nil remarkable occurs 

— 7. This day . . . nil remarkable occurs. 

— 8. Lords day I preached per totum from i Cor. 15.58. y* Lord 

bless his word and make it powerfull 

— 9. This day lecture in y^ forenoon M"". Whitman preached from 

psal. 78. 72. freemans meeting Capt. Marsh and M". Bucking- 
ham chosen Deputies. 

— II. This day a publick fast. I preached AM. from Jer. 2. 19. 

and M\ Whitman P.M. from Jer. 18. 7. 8. y« Lord hear our 
prayers and accept our humiliations. 

— 15. Lords day I preached p'. totum from Matt. 26. 41. y* Lord 

accompany it with his blessing. 

— 16. This day went to Farmington saw my friends in usual 

health Laus Deo. 

— 17. This day returned from Farmington, found my family well 

Laus Deo. 



> The people of Canaan were struggling with a church-building enterprise in their but newly 
commenced settlement. The contribution was probably in aid of this effort, though possibly it had 
a more personal character. 



l\2 WADSWORTH*S DIARY U744 

— 22. Lords day I preached per totum from luk. 12. 58. 59. . . . 

— 25. . . . at night Daniel Eggleston and Mary Ashley were 

married 

— 26. This day visited M''. Woodbridge & M'. Edwards, 

returned &^ 

— 29. Lords day I preached per totum from prov. 4. 23. And 

baptized Elizabeth y' daughter of Diostheus Humphreys, went 
thro' my work with great difficulty by reason of a great cold. 

— 30. This day reading Neals History of the Puritans &^ 

May 1744 
May 3. This day reading Neal &^ in y^ afternoon a lecture at 
M'. Whitmans meeting. M"'. Whitman preached from Matt. 

27- 51- 

— 6. Lords day I preached A.M. . . . and administred y' 

Sacrament and P.M . . . y' Lord bless his word . . 

- — 7. This day . . . nil remarkable occurs 

— 8. This day ... nil remarkable occurs 

— 9. This day ... at night Jonathan Catlin of Harwinton 

and Thankful! Collier of Hartford were Joined in marriage 

— TO. This day Gen", election M^ Worthington preached from 

psal. 77. last verse &". Gov. Dept. Gov. and assistants as in y* 
year past. 

— 13. Lords day M''. Whittelsey preached for me. A:]\L from 

luk. 12. 54 and P.M: from luk. 13. 3. 

— 15. This day went to Litchfield. 

— 16. The Councel convened at Litchfield.' determined y' 

business 

— 17. This day returned home, found my family well. Laus Deo. 

— 20. Lords day I preached per totum from 2 pet. 3. 14 y^ Lord 

bless his work . . . 

— 24. This day little study Spent some time at Court 

— 27. Lords day 1 preached p'. totum from i Cor. 9. 24 And 

baptized Hannah y* daughter of Jonathan Olcot. . . . 

— 28. This day reading Shepards Sound believer 



' Rev. Timothy Collins {anh; p. 8i) had been a good while in difficulties in his parish. The 
trouble was partially about the raising of his salary and had manifested itself as far back as 1728. 
'J'his year, however, 1744, the town voted " not to make any rate for Mr. Collins under present 
difficulties" ; and the following year voted to appoint a committee to " eject Mr. Collins from the 
parsonage right." Underlying any salary difficulty, however, was the ecclesiastical one. Mr. 
Collins was an Old Light, and the consociation of that region was dominated by Dr. Hellamy and 
New Light sympathies. Mr. Collins was engineered out of his pulpit by their combined influences 
in 1752 ; but continued to reside in Litchfield, practice medicine, and serve in public ofiice with the 
apparent approval of his townsmen till his death. Probably the council to which Mr. Wadsworth 
went on this occasion was on some phase of Mr. Collins' protracted church tribulations. 



1744] WADSWORTH'S DIARY II3 

— 30. This day visited a poor distressed creature. Some 

reading <!s:'^. 

— 31. This day Study. lecture in y' afternoon M'. ^^'elles 

preached from heb. 10. 20 
June begins. 
June 1. This day in study, y' Gen". Assembly broke up in y' 
afternoon 

— 3. Lords day I preached pr. totum from Matt. 12. 18. and ad- 

ministred y' Sacrament ... in y* morning about 10 o'clock 
was an earthquake 

— 4. . . . in y* afternoon comes news y' war with F'rance was 

proclaimed in Boston Last Saturday, a paquet comes to our 
Govern^ with orders for y* same 

— 5. This day went to Farmington the association met there 

— 6. This day Lecture at Farmington, M'. Steel preached from 

Ezk. 5. 8. returned home found my family well 

— 10. Lords day I preached p"'. totum from Eccles. 12. i. . . . 

in y' afternoon catechised y* children, in y* forenoon y* Coun- 
cel of war sat to concert measures to go to Albany to deal 
with y* Indians. Commissioners to set out tomorrow morning ' 

— II. This day Dep: Gov. VVolcot & Col: Stanly set out with a 

guard for Albany to treat with y* Indians, and in y" afternoon 
a declaration of war against y^ French King was published 
here. 

— 13. This day indisposed. y"^ heat of y* weather exceeding 

great. 

— 14. . . . M^. Rector Clap here at night. I pray y* Lord to 

bless him 

— 16. . . . went over y* river 

— 17. Lords day preached at y' East side, from rom. 5. 12. A.M. 

and from Eccl. 2. 17. P.M., returned home found my family 
well Laus Deo. 

— 19. This day went to Durham to the general association* 



» The declaration of war by Kraiice against Knsiand whii :h had been made on March 4th of 
this year (1744) had awakened alarm as to the attitude of the Indians of the Northwest border. It 
was deemed necessary to treat with them to neutralize the French influence always so easily opera- 
tive in stirring up hostility to the English interests. 

* The General Association at this Durham meeting answered the following questions : 

" Whither a minister or a number of ministers Entring into any Established parish in this 
Government & then Gathering a Ch of members that had before disorderly separated themselves 
from the Ch to which they belonged, and some of them actually under Ecclesiastical Censure, be 
not matter of offence. Voted in the Affirmative. 

Whither to require persons perticularly to promise to walk in Communion with this Ch of 
Christ into w"ch they Seek admission concienciously attending and upholding the Public worship 
of God in this place till regularly dismist therefrom be a hard or unreasonable term of Communion. 
Resolve in the negative." 

IS 



114 WADSWORTH*S DIARY [l744 

— 20. This day at Durham at y* (xen" Association, M'. Hall 

preached from Joh. 17. 21. 

— 21. This day returned home, found my family well, Laus Deo. 

— 22. , . . brother Lewis here from Boston 

— 23. This day reading Shackfords Connection: magazine (S:*". 

— 24. Lords day I preached per totum from psal. 50. 22. and 

catechised y* children . . . 

— 26. This day reading . . Docf Colmans Sermon on y'' 

death of Gov. Holden ' 

— 27. This day reading Shackfords Connection, Sir Isaac New- 

tons Chronology &". 

— 29. This day ... in y'' afternoon a lecture at y^ South 

meeting house M'. Whitman preached from rev. 19. 9. 
July begins 
July I. Lords day I preached pr totum from 2 tim. 2. 8. and ad- 
ministred y'' Sacrament of y*^ Lords Supper 

— 3. This day went to y^ West Division Col: Stanley returned 

from Albany recovered of his indisposition 

— 7. This day reading, Prince, Penhallow &*= Thomas Clap 

died 

— 8. Lords day I preached p'. totum from i pet. 5. 9. and bap- 

tized Isaac and Isaiah Twin sons of Moses Ensign Thomas 
Clap was buried. 

— 12. This day visited y* sick y^ Gov. & Councel I hear 

have appointed a fast on y^ 3"* Wednesday of August next. 

— 15. Lords day I preached pr. totum from psal. 81. 11. 12. . . . 

— 17. This day went to y' West Division examined and approved 

M'. Mills.'' examined M^ Webster,' adjourned his examina- 
tion to y* i'* Tuesday in September 

— 18. This day visited y* sick, in y^ afternoon M^ Gay^ of Suf- 

field and his wife here 

— 20. This day . . . Isaiah y* son of Moses Ensign was 

buried. 

— 21. . . . went over y' river in y* afternoon 



» Samuel Holden, Governor of the Bank of England, had been a benefactor of the Province 
of Massachusetts, and his death in 1740 was made the occasion of a discourse by Dr. Benjamin Col- 
man of Boston before the General Court there. " Holden Chapel " at Cambridge, Mass., was 
built in his memory and by gifts supplied by his widow and daughters. 

s Doubtless the Gideon Mills ordained the following fifth day of September at Simsbury, g. v. 

3 David Webster (see Oct. nth, sfg.) born at Glastonbury, Jan. 29, 1721 ; grad. V. C. 1741 ; 
became a lawyer failing in ability to become a minister ; died in Berlin May 12, 1806. 

* Rev. Ebenezer Gay ; born in Dedham, Mass.; grad. H. C. 1737; died at SufBeld in 1796, 
after a ministry of fifty-three years. 



1744] wadsworth's diary 115 

— 22. Lords day preached at y' East Side from rom. 10. 3. per 

totuin and baptized Rebecca y* daughter of Solomon (lihnan. 
returned in y* evening found my family well, I>aus Dcf). 

— 24. This day in y' afternoon went to Farmington. Sister 

Ruth sick' 

— 26. This day went to Farmington. my sister Ruth sick. 

— 27. This day returned from Farmington, my sister Ruth some- 

what better Laus Deo 

— 29. Lords day I preached A.M: from heb. 12. 10. iV P.M. from 

Matt: 13. 22. and baptized F^unice y* daughter of John 
Shepard. 
^ 30. This day ... in y' afternoon died John Cole very 
suddenly in the meadow. 

— 31. . . John Cole Literred 

August begins 
Aug. 2. This day . . . in y' afternoon Lecture, I preached 
from I. pet. 3. 18 

— 4. This day ... in y^ afternoon Robert Webster was 

Interred. 

— 5. Lotfs day I preached A:M: from i. pet. 3. 18 and adminis- 

tred y' Sacrament and P.M. from Eccles. 8 8. I pray god to 
bless . . . 

— 6. This day visited y*^ sick &*=. nil remarkable occurs 

— 12. Lords day I preacht . . . and baptized William y* son 

of Capt. George Wyllys. 

— 14. This day studying a sermon for y"= fast, heard a sorrow- 

full account of y* wickedness of one of my parishoners. o 
God I pray thee restrain and reform him. direct and assist 
me in y* discharge of my duty to him. 

— 15. This day a publick fast on ace', of y* war I preached A:M: 

from 2 chron. 20. 3. 4. and M'. Whitman P:M: from Deut. 
20. 3. 4. 

— 19. Lords day I preached . . . 

— 22. This day went to Farmington, saw my friends in usual 

health, returned home Laus Deo. 

— 25. . . . Lord prepare me I pray for thine holy Sabbath. 

— 26. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Rachel y* 

daughter of Stephen Turner 

— 28. This day in y' afternoon visited M'. Woodbridge 

— 30. This day in Study: in y*^ afternoon a lecture at M . Whit- 

mans meeting, M'. Whitman preached from Dan. 9. 24. 



Wife of Elisha Lewis of Farmington. 



ri6 wadsworth's diary [i744 

-^ 31. This day in Study. Europe in a Tumult 

September begins 
Sept. 2. Lords day I preached p'. totum from Ezek. 9. 9. and ad- 
ministred y' Sacrament, admitted Isaac Clark into y* church. 

— 5. This day went to Symsbury. M'. Gideon Mills' ordained 

there. I began y* solemnities with prayer, the Rev''. M^ Whit- 
man of Farmington preached from Eph. 4. 11. M^ Colton 
made y'^ prayer before y* charge M'. Whitman of Farmington 
gave y' charge M'. Bissel made y^ next prayer, M^ Whitman 
of Hartford gave y* right hand of Fellowship, a very rainy 
day. 

— 6. This day returned home found my family well Laus Deo. 
^ Saw a sorrowfuU spectacle by y" way. 

— 8. This day in Study. IsV. Townsend and IVP. Allyn ' here from 

Boston 

— 9. Lords day I preached p'. totum from Matt. 3. 8. 9. and 

baptized Jerusha y* daughter of Hezekiah Marsh. 

— 10. This day travelled to Wallingford. 

— II. This day went to New-Haven Saw many of my friends 

there 

— 12. This day commencement at New-Haven, y' affairs of it 

conducted with decency and order 

— 14. This day returned home found my family well, Laus Deo. 

— 16. Lords day I preached per totum from rom. 3. 16. and 

baptized Isaac y^ son of Isaac Clark 

— 18. This day reading Edwards preacher' M'. Carpenter' of 

Hull here in y^ afternoon. 

— 23. Lords day I preached p'. totum from i Cor. 15. 34. and 

baptized Daniel y^ son of Capt. John Talcot. 

— 24. This day reading Edwards preacher 

— 25. This day reading Edwards preacher visiting &^ 

— 28. This day is twelve year since my ordination, blessed be 

god y* has preserved me alive thus Long 



1 Rev. Gideon Mills was born at Windsor, Aug. 15, 1715; grad. V. C. 1737 ; taught the Hop- 
kins Grammar School in New Haven in 1738 ; ordained at Simsbury, Sept. 5, 1744 ; dismissed in 
August, 1754; installed at Canton, Feb. 18, 1761 ; died in office Aug. 4, 1772. He was a younger 
brother of Rev. Jedidiah Mills, and like him a New Light. 

^ Perhaps the Jeremiah Allen mentioned anie, p. 40. 

3 The Preacher, a book by Rev. Dr. John Edwards, a Calvinist divine (1637-1716) of Col- 
chester and Cambridge, England. The book was published in three parts, successively in 1705, 
1706, and 1709. 

* Rev. Ezra Carpenter, grad. H. C. 1720; died 1785. He sympathized with the Whitefieldian 
revival, but objected to the itinerating habits of Whitefield's followers. 



1744] wadsworth's diary 117 

— 30. Lords day I preached pr. totuni from psal. 4. 4. I pray 

God to bless his word . . 
October 1744 
Oct. I. This day visiting y' sick, in y' morning tUed Oapl. John 
Marsh, very suddenly aged 75 and in y' afternoon Thomas 
King aged 59. 

— 2. . . . in y' afternoon Capt. Marsh was Interreii 

— 3. . . in y* afternoon Thomas King was Interred. 

— 5. This day ... in y' afternoon a lecture 1 pre.K hed 

from heb. i. 68. 69. under great indisposition 

— 6. This day . . . heard y' ships are arrived from l'>ngland &:''. 

— 7. Lords day I preached . and administred y* Sacra- 

ment, in y* morning died Richard Burnham said to be in y' 90"* 
year of his age 

— 8. This day . . . Richard lUnnham Interred. 

— II. This day went to y" West Division to finish y' e.xaminalion 

of David Webster, find him Insufficient, would not license him.' 
Last night died y" widow Mason 

— 12. the widow Mason buried in y' 90'" year of her age 

— 13. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Josiah y' son 

of Daniel Brace 

— 16. This day some reading &" M'. Chickley ' of Boston here: 

nil remarkable occurs 

— 18. This day . . . brother Lewis and Sister here from 

Boston 

— 21. Lords day I preached per totum from i thes: 5. 6 

— 23. This day went to Farmington, saw my friends in usual 

health, Laus Deo 

— 24. This day returned from Farmington found my family well 

Laus Deo. 

— 25. This day Study, visiting &^ received a letter from Uncle 

James. 

— 28. Lords day I preached pr. totum from psal. 28. 5. I pray 

God would bless his word and pardon my imperfections 

— 31. This day went to Stafford to y' ordination there 

November begins 
Nov. I . This day M'. Colton ' was ordained M^ B. Colton preached 
from 1 Cor. 4. i. 2. 



' Ante, July 17th. 

■^ Rev. Samuel Checkley, pastor of the New South church in Boston; grad. H. C. 1715; 
died 1769. 

' Rev. Eli Colton, anti:, p. 86, note. 



ii8 wadsworth's diary [1744 

— 2. This day returned home found my family well Laus Deo. 

— 4. Lords day M'. Welles preached for me A:M: from Isai. 55. 

6. and I administred y'= Sacrament, and P.M. I preached from 
gal I. 4. Lord bless thy word 

— 7. This day . . . visited and prayed with a sick man. 

Samuel Marshal died 

— 8. This day publick Thanksgiving I preached from psal. 31. 

2 1. I bless y* Lord for all y' Instances of his kindness to me 
in y year past, that he has preserved my life, y* lives of my 
wife children and family and for y* health wee have been 
favoured with, for any fruit in my ministry 

— 9. This day . . . Samuel Marshal buried 

— II. Lords day I preached ... I pray God to bless his word 

— 14. This day visited M^ Woodbridge &*=. my birth day. 

— 16. This day in Study, at night finished y' settlement of y* 

Governors Estate 

— 18. Lords day I preached pr. totum from i pet. i. 17. . . . 

— 20. This day went to Farmington. saw my friends well, re- 

turned home safe Laus Deo 

— 25. Lords day I preached per totum from 2 thes. i. 7. 8 . . . 

pardon o Lord w'ever thou hast seen amiss in me. 

— 29. This day . . . in y' afternoon a lecture, I preached 

from Col. 1.19. 
December 1744 
Dec. 2. Lords day I preached pr. totum from i Cor. 3. 11. and 
administred y* Sacrament . . . 

— 8. This day Study. read an excellent Caution against 

Itinerants 

— 9. Lords day I preached per totum from psal. 100. 13. . . . 

— 10. This day visiting y^ sick &^ M'. Collins here at night 

— 12. This day went to Farmington. Y' Com'", of y^ Association 

met advised New Cambridge to M''. Newel 

— 14. . . . At night Joined Doct'. Daniel Lathrop ' and M". 

Jerusha Talcot in marriage. 

— 15. . . . M^ Marsh of Kent here in y^ afternoon. 

— 16. Lords day I preached A.M. from phil. 2. 15. and P.M. from 

heb. 3. 12. I pray God to bless . . . 
^17. This day visited a sick child &'. Nil remarkable occurs 



' Of Norwich. He was born May i, 1712; grad. V. C. 1733; studied medicine in London; 
established the first drug store in Connecticut ; became by his marriage Mr. Wadsworth's brother- 
in-law. He died in Norwich, Jan. 8, 1782 ; his widow died at the same place, Sept. 14, 1805. 



1745] Wadswortii's diary itg 

— 23. Lords day I preached ... I pray y' Gods word might 

be accompanied with y* operations of his Spirit 

— 26. This day . reed, a letter from M'. Hunn dated 

Dec. 3. 1744 

— 27. This day in Study, blessed be god that lias disposed my 

people to contribute so liberally to my support, may I be ex- 
cited and encouraged to serve y"' faithfully and be abundantly 
assisted therein 

— 30. Lords day I preached A.M: from matt. 7. 22. 23. and I'.M. 

from Matt. 5. 8 I pray god to make his work awakening 
and convincing and Instructive to them y* heard it. 

January begins [1745I 

Jan. 2. This day Study «S:^ went to y' west division sent a 
letter to Doct'. chauncey p' M"" Butler 

— 3. . . . Sent a letter to M'. Hunn p^ M'. Day. in y' after- 

noon a lecture at M^ Whitmans meeting. \r. Whitman 
preached from heb. 9. 15 

— 6. Lords day I preached per totum from Johs 13. 34 and ad- 

ministred y* Sacrament Elijah Cadwell owned y* Covenant 
and Elijah his son was baptized 

— 10. This day study, visiting ^:^ remember o Lord y" poor 

Lame person I have visited this day, relieve and heal her. 

— 13. Lords day I preached per totum from psal. 96. 9. I i)ray 

God to bless his word and make it effectual 

— 16. This day in Study. >r. xMarsh and M'. Mills here 

— 17. This day . . . in y* afternoon visited M'. Woodbridge. 

— 19. This day in Study, a weighty case propounded to me, I 

pray god assist and direct me in y'^ resolution of it 
20. Lords day I preached pr. totum from luk. 5. 32. Thomas Burr 
Jun'. owned the Covenant and Samuel y* son of Thomas Burr 
Jun"". was baptized 

— 21. This day in visiting &'. reading magazine. Dr. Chaunceys 

Sermon &". 

— 22. This day Travelled to Bolton Lodged at .M'. Wliites. 

— 23. This day travelled to Norwich 

— 24. This day spent at Norwich in the afternoon a lecture 

M'. Lord preached from Joh. 12. 57. 

— 25. This day set out for home, came to East-hartford, snowy 

in y" afternoon 

— 26. This day got home found my family well, Laus Deo. 



tiO WADSWORTH*S DIARY [l74$ 

— 27. Lords day I preached A:M: from luk. 5: 32 & P.M. from 

prov. II. 21. I pray God to bless his word . . . 

— 30. This day in Study, wrote a letter also to M'. Whittlesey' 

— 31. This day . . . in y^ afternoon preached a lecture from 

rev. 14. 4. 
February 
Feb. 3. Lords day I preached per totum from rev. 14. 4. and ad- 
ministred y^ Sacrament. . . . 

— 5. This day went to y* association at Windsor, y^ association 

agreed upon a Testimony ag*. M'. Whitefield" 

— 6. at y* association &°. M'. Whitman of H. preached a lecture 

from Joh. 15. 5. 

— 7. This day . . . reC*. a letter from M'. Clap 

— 10. Lords day I preached A:M: from prov. 11. 21 and P.M: 

from rom. 6. 22. . . . 

— 17. Lords day I preached A.M. from rom. 6. 22. and P.M. from 

prov. I. 24. 25. 26. . . . 

— 19. This day Study, visiting &^ a negro committed to prison 

for a Rape. 

— 22. This day in Study. 2 delinquents here to discourse 

about confessing &". 

— 24. Lords day I preached A:M: from prov. i. 24. 25. 26. and 

P.M: from prov. 28. 13. Moses Barnard his wife owned y* 
Covenant 

— 25. This day went to Kensington to visit my friends 



' Probably Rev. Samuel Whittlesey of Wallingford, or his son, Rev. Samuel Whittlesey of 
Milford; both were "Old Lights." The father was born at Saybrook in 1686; grad. V. C. 1705; 
ordained at Wallingford May 17, 1710; Fellow of Y. C. from 1732 onward ; preached the Election 
Sermon May 13, 1731 ; died April 15, 1752. 

The son was born at Wallingford July 10, 1713 ; grad. Y. C. 1729 ; ordained at Milford Dec. 
9> 1737 ; died in office Oct. 22, 1768. 

^ A second journey of Mr. Whitefield was now anticipated. In view of it the Association of 
Hartford County, like many other similar bodies, adopted a Testimony against his methods. It 
will suflfice to quote only a portion of this document. 

"As the Errors, Disorders and Confusions which for some years past have so generally 
prevailed through the Churches of this Land, had their Rise (as we apprehend) from the Preach- 
ing and Management of the Rev. Mr. George VVhitefield in his former visit to Ne7v England 

. we the associated Ministers in the Northern Part of the County of Hart/ord think it 
needful to bear a publick Testimony against him and his conduct . . . hereby declaring that 
under the present Circumstances of Things we shall by no Means admit him into any of our 
Pulpits, and in Faithfulness to the People under our respective Charges we would solemnly warn 
and caution them to take Heed and beware of Him." 

The Testimony was signed by the following named pastors: Benjamin Colton, [West] Hart- 
ford ; Stephen Steel, Tolland ; Thomas White, Bolton ; Elnathan Whitman, Hartford ; Daniel 
Wadsworth, Hartford ; Stephen Heaton, Goshen ; Jonathan Marsh Jr., New Hartford ; Samuel 
Whitman, Farmington ; Samuel Woodbridge, [East] Hartford; John McKinstry, Ellington; Timo- 
thy Collins, Litchfield ; Daniel Fuller, Willington ; Andrew Bartholomew, Harwinton ; Eli Colton, 
Stafford ; Elisha Web.ster, Canaan ; Cyrus Marsh, Kent. 



1745] WADSWORTH'S DIARY 121 

— 26. This day went to New-Haven 

— 27. This day spent at New- Haven visiting \-=. 

— 28. This day returned from N. Haven found niy family well, 

Laus Deo. 

March begins 
Mch. 3. Lords day 1 preached pr totuin from act. 5. 31. and ad- 
ministred y* Sacrament, y* Lord bless his word. 

— 5. This day . . . prayed at y* Court, y* Superior Court 

opened 

— 10. Lords day I preached pr. totum from psal. 22. 27. I pray 

God to forgive w'soever he has seen amiss in me . . . 

— 12. This day sold Stafford Land 

— 13. This day spent mainly at Court, Pomp a negro man tried 

for a rape 

— 14. This day . . . y* Gen". Assembly met, prayed at Court 

in y* afternoon 

— 15. This day . . . reckoned with Capt. Hooker paied him 

in full, ^83. i6.$-. od. 

— 17. Lords day I preached pr. totum from luk. 18. 21. 22. 23. 

— 19. This day prayed at Court, visited y* sick &^ the Court 

break up 

— 20. . . . in y^ afternoon went over y' River on a visit. 1 

pray God to direct me to a suitable subject to preach upon 

— 24. Lords day I preached per totum from prov. 3. 6. 

— 28. . . . This day Deputy Governour Wolcot set out for 

N: London in order to embark for y* Expedition ag' Cape 
Breton' 

— 31. Lords day I preached pr totum from psal. 18. 6. . . . 

April begins — 1745 
Apr. 3. This day a publick fast, I preached A:M: from Deut. 2^. 
9. and M^ Whitman VM. from psal. 20. 7. . . . 

— 4. This day visiting cV. prayed with Capt Church his com- 

pany, which set out for New-London in order to embark upon 



' A special session of the Assembly had been called at New Haven on the 26th of February 
and " concluded and resolved, (relying on the blessing of Almighty God,) to joyn with the neigh- 
boring governments in the intended expedition against his Majesty's enemies at Cape Breton and 
parts adjacent." It was further resolved " That the number of five hundred able-bodied, effective 
men for the land service be suitably encouraged to inlist " by wages, premiums, and "equal share 
in all the plunder." The '' Colony Sloop Defence" was immediately put in readiness, and suitable 
and "sufficient transports hired." Lt.-Gov. Roger Wolcott was appointed Commander-in-Chief; 
Maj. Andrew Burr, Colonel ; Capt. Simon Lathrop, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Capt. Israel Newton, 
Major; while eight Captains, including James Church of Hartford, were designated for the 
enterprise. 

16 



122 WADSWORTH'S DIARY [l745 

y'^ Expedition ag* Cape Breton I pray y* Lord of hosts go 
with them 

— 7. Lords day I preached A:M. from Cant. i. 4. and adminis- 

tred y' Sacrament and P.M. from eph. 5. 6. and baptized Abi- 
gail y* daughter of William Nickols. John Spencer Jun'. 
owned y' Covenant. 

— 8. This day Freemans meeting I preached a Lecture from 

rom. 13. 4. and M'. Buckingham and M"". Joseph Talcot were 
chosen Deputies. 

— 9. This day reading Windhams Letter, Willisons Catechism 

&■=. 

— 10. This day . . . in y* afternoon visited M'. Woodbridge 

— 14. Lords day I preached pr totum from rom. 5. 10. and bap- 

tized John y^ son of Edward Dod and Elizabeth y^ daughter 
of John Spencer Jun^ 

— 15. This day visiting (S:". Nathaniel Andrus, who died yester- 

day, Interred. 

— 16. . . . heard that our forces sailed from N: London last 

Lords day for Cape Breton 

— 18. This day Study, received a letter from M''. Clap. 

— 21. Lords day I preached per totum from gen. 18. 19. and 

baptized Ruth the daughter of Edward Cadwell Jun'. 

— 23. This day in Study, this morning died M". Mary Ham 

very suddenly 

— 24. This day Publick fast. I preached A:M: from Eccles. 9. 

18, and M^ Whitman P.M: from 2 Chron. 6. 34. 35. at night 
M". Ham buried 

— 25. This day in Study. Eleazer Peck and Sarah King Joined 

in marriage 

— 26. This day . . . wrote a letter to M'. Clap 

— 28. Lords day I preached pr. totum from psal. 39. 4. 

— 29. This day visiting &*=. rec**. a letter from Docf. Chauncey. 

May begins. 
May 3. This day in Study, nil remarkable occurs, (my creatures 
went to y^ West Division to pasture this day). 

— 5. Lords day I preached A:M: from Jam. i. 21. and P.]\L from 

Jer. 2. 19 and baptized Elizabeth y' daughter of Moses Burr 

— 7. This day y" Superior Court opened here I prayed at Court 

— 9. This day Election. AP. Whitman preached from 2 Sam. 

23. 4. Gov. Dep: Gov. and assistants as in y^ year past. 

— II. This day ... a man y* was drowned in y' great river 

some time ago buried 



1745] wadsworth's diary 123 

— 12. Lords day IVP. Hunn preached for me from i Cor. 15. 58. 

— 13. This day . . . AP. Hunn went from hence 

— 15. This day prayed at Court the upper house passed y* 

new Charter for y' College ' 

— 17. This day in business Relating to the college 

— 19. Lords day I preached p'. totum from heb. 12. 4. and bap- 

tized James y' Son of Timothy Biggelow 

— 20. This day reading Present State of great Brittain &°. 

— 21. This day news from Cape Breton that y* royal Battery is 

taken, y' english army encamped before y' Town 

— 26. Lords day I preached A: M; from Joh. 4. 10. and F.M: from 

Joh. 5. 25. and Baptized Mabel y* daughter of Abraham Cad- 
well. . . . 

— 28. This day Study &^ at night y' Post Returned from Bos- 

ton, no news from Cape=Breton 

— 30. This day in Study. Y* general assembly adjourned with- 

out day. 

— 31. This day . . . in y' afternoon had a lecture preached 

from Joh. 5. 25. 
June begins 
June 2. Lords day I preached per totum from Eph. 5. 2. and ad- 
ministred y* Sacram'. . . . 

— 4. This day went to Tolland, y* assoC. Sat there 

— 5. This day lecture at Tolland I preached from Col. i. 28. 

came to Bolton much indisposed. 

— 6. This day returned home found my family well Laus Deo. 

— 9. Lords day I preached p^ totum from rom. 13. 12. . . . 

— 12. This day Study, visiting &^ TM'. Reynolds" here. 

— 13. This day ... nil remarkable 

— 14. This day . . . nil remarkable 

— 15. This day ... nil remarkable 

— 16. Lords day I preached p'. totum from phil. i. 27. had a 

briefs or collection for Thorn: Hudson. 



• This was an act for the enlargement of the powers of the corporation of the Collegiate 
School and an alteration of the corporate name to that of " The President and Fellows of Vale 
College in New Haven." Mr. Wadsworlh was one of the corporators at this time (and one of the 
petitioners for the enlarged powers of the new charter), having been chosen into the body in Sep- 
tember, 1743, to succeed Rev. Samuel Woodbridge of East Hartford, who at that time resigned. 

* Probably Rev. Peter Reynolds of Enfield. He was bom in Bristol, R. I.; grad. H. C. 1720; 
ordained at Enfield, 1724; died 1768. 

3 A letter, in English use, authorizing a charitable contribution. "This day in our Church 
was read the Brie/c for a collection for the relief of y« Protestant French." Evelyn's Diary, 
April :«, 1686. 



124 wadsworth's diary [1745 

— 19. This day went to Newington. M". Woodbridge preached 

a lecture from 2. tim. 2. 19. 

— 20. . . . Broth'. Lewis from Boston, news from Cape 

Breton of the death of Major Newton' 

— 23. Lords day I preached p"". totum from Isai. 55. 6. and 

Catechised y^ Children 

— 24. This day visiting, reading &". M". Nott here at night 

— 26. This day much indisposed, y' soldiers sent from here 

toward New-london in order to embark for Cape-Breton: M\ 
Clap here at night. 

— 27. . . . Lieut"'. Root* came home from Cape Breton 

— 29. . . . M\ Clap here this day 

— 30. Lords day I preached pr. totum from i pet. 4. 7. And 

baptized Timothy the son of Caleb Spencer. 
July 
July 4. This day . . . in y"^ afternoon lecture at M'. Whit- 
mans meeting M'. Whitman preached from 2 Cor. 5. 18. 

— 5. ... at night comes news y' Cape Breton is taken 

— 7. Lords day I preached per totum from heb. 9. 4. and admin- 

istred y* Sacrament and baptized Timothy y* Son of Barzillai 
Clark and Moses y^ son of Moses Burr and Rebecca y' daughter 
of Samuel Andrews. 

— 8. This day visiting &'. in y« afternoon publick rejoycing on 

account of y' Taking of Cape Breton. 

— 12. This day in Study, y' news of y* Reduction of Cape Breton 

confirmed. 

— 15. Lords day I preached per totum from rom. 16. 17. and 

baptized Lois the daughter of Moses Cadwell 

— 18. . . . Last night died William Keith 

— 19. This day study, W"'. Keith Interred 

— 20. . . . at night heard y' Major General Wolcott and 

Doct^ Farnsworth ^ are got home from Cape Breton 

— 21. Lords day M'. Welles preached for me from prov. 3. 17. . . . 

and P.M. I preached from psal. 94. 12. 

— 22. This day visited Doct'. Farnsworth who Returned last 

Saturday from Cape Breton. 



' Anie, p. 121, note. Maj. Newton was from Colchester. 

* Timothy Root was from Farmington. 

' Dr. Joseph Farnsworth appointed by the Assembly in March " to be improved as Physician 
and Surgeon's-Mate in the expedition against Cape Breton." He was born in Hartford ; baptized 
by Rev. Timothy Woodbridge of the First Church, April 28, 1717 ; grad. Y. C. 1736 ; s^tled at 
Wethersfield, but removed about 1790 to Vermont, where he died in July, 1804. 



17451 WADSWORTH'S DIARY 1 25 

— 25. This day publick thanksgiving on y' account of y' success 

of our army in reducing Louisburgh. I preached from i Sam. 
17. 12. 

— 28. Lords day I preached A:M: from psal. 94. 12. and P.M: 

from Deut. 6. 11. 12. and baptized Nathaniel y' son of John 
Skinner and Daniel y* son of Daniel Goodwin 

— 30. This day Major General Wolcot passed thro' this Town in 

his way home from Cape Breton. God be praised for his safe 
Return. Visited M'. Woodbridge. 

— 31. . . . Y' widow Andrus died in y* morning. 

August begins 
Aug. I. . . . y' widow Andrus Interred. 

— 3. Lords da'y I preached A: ^L from Tit. 2. 14 and administred 

y* Sacrament, in y' afternoon Indisposed and went not out. 

— 6. this day went to Farmington Saw my friends well. 

— 7. this day returned home found my family well Laus Deo 

— 9. . . . This day Capt. Church returned from Cape Breton 

— II. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Ruth y* 

daughter of Isaac Clark 

— 12. This day . . . rec'*. a letter from Doct'. Morison at 

lewisburgh 

— 18. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Daniel y* son 

Daniel Skinner. 

— 19. This day much indisposed. 

— 21. This day . . . much indisposed 

— 22. This day in Study, nil remarkable 

— 23. This day in Study, nil remarkable 

— 24. This day in Study, nil remarkable 

— 25. Lords day I preached pr totum from Joh. i. 12. . , . 

— 26. This day in secular business, news y' y' Duke of Tuscany 

is elected Emperor of Germany. 

— 28. . . . at night died Cyprian Nickols Jun'. 

— 29. . . . M'. Whitman preached a lecture from psal. 1 18. 20. 

— 30. . . . Cyprian Nickols Jun'. Interred 

September Begins 
Sept. I. Lords day I preached . . . and administred y* Sac- 
rament . . . and baptized James y* son of M'. Samuel 
Talcot, and Jonathan y* son of Sam". Flag. 

— 7. . . . ye Widow Hopkins and y* wife of Deacon Sheldon 

were Interred 

— 8. Lords day I preached per totum . . . and baptized 

Martha the daughter of John Spencer Jun', 



126 wadsworth's diary [1745 

— 9. This day set out for New-Haven Lodged at Wallingford 

— II. Commencement at New-Haven. 26 graduated A. B. 

— 15. Lords day M\ Wells preached for me A:M: from phil. 2. 

12. and P.M. I preached from rev. 3. i. and baptized Timothy 
y^ son of Timothy Shepard 

— 18. This day visited y^ sick. IVP. Day married in y' afternoon. 

— 20. This day ... at night died Abigail y' daughter of 

Thomas Hopkins 

— 21. . . . Thomas Hopkins his daughter Interred 

— 22. Lords day I preached . 

— 23. This day visiting y* sick &". in y^ afternoon wrote Jona- 

than Ashleys will. 

— 25. . . . Joseph Shepards child died 

— 26. . . . Joseph Shepards son buried 

— 29. Lords day I preached . . . 

October begins 
Oct. I. This day went to Wintonbury. the association met there 

— 2. This day lecture at Wintonbury AT. Colton preached from 

act. 8. 39. M^ Belden' was examined and licensed to preach. 

— 4. This day . . . in y* afternoon had a lecture, preached 

from phil. 2. 5. 

— 5. This day . . . heard y' Sorrowfull news of y* death of 

my kinsman Samuel Wadsworth of Farmington 

— 6. Lords day I preached per totum from luk. 24. 46. and ad- 

ministred y^ Sacrament after y*^ afternoon service Jedidiah 
Atwood made publick confession of sin in y* disturbance he 
made sometime ago in y* meeting house reviling y* minister 
&^ 

— 10. . . . President Clap here at night, news y' General 

Pepperel is made a Baronet, M'. Warren an admiral & Govern'". 
of Cape Breton^ 

— 13. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Thankful! y' 

daughter of Daniel Butler 

— 16. Some study, received a letter from uncle James 



' Joshua Belden, born at Wethersfield July 19, 1724 ; grad. Y. C. 1743 ; ordained at Newing- 
ton Nov. II, 1747; discharged the duties of his office till Nov., 1803; died after ten years of in- 
creasing feebleness, July 23, 1813, aged 89. 

2 These awards to William Pepperell and Peter Warren of the Massachusetts contingent of 
the army were not, perhaps, envied by the Connecticut branch. Still it was not without annoyance 
that they saw the representations made in behalf of the Connecticut troops practically ignored in 
the distribution of honors. Dr. Benj. Trumbull, writing long afterward, says: " Nothwithstanding 
these humble and earnest solicitations, I believe no officer except captain, afterward general Woos- 
ter, who went on business to England, and was honoured with a lieutenancy and half pay during 
life, received any appointment or emolument from the crown," 



1745] wadsworth's diary 127 

— 20. This Lords day preached pr. totum from rom. 6. 23. bap- 

tized Nathaniell the son of Moses Burnham. Moses Burnham 
owned y' Covenant James y" son of M". Samuel Talcot 
died an Infant about two months old 

— 21. This day . . . James Talcot buried. 

— 26. This day . . . rec"*. a letter from M'. Clap. 

— 27. Lords day I preached pr. totum from psal. 78. 34. 35. 36. 

37 •■ ■ ■ 
November. 
Nov. 3. Lords day I preached pr. totum . . . Levi Jones 
owned the Covenant, Julius y* son of Levi Jones was bap- 
tized. 

— 4. This day visiting y* sick ^i:''. received a Letter to go to a 

Councel at N. Cambridge 

— 6. . . . heard y' y* duke of Tuscany is elected Emperor &.'. 

The Pretenders son in Scotland makes progress. 

— 7. This day publick thanks giving preached from psal. 126. 6. 

blessed be god y' has carried me and my family thro' another 
year. 

— 10. Lords day I preached per totum from heb. 2. 3. . . . 

— 13. This day went to New-cambridge, advised M'. Newel' not 

to settle, returned home 

— 17. Lords day I preached A:M: from Jam. 4: 17. & P:M from 

2 tim. 3. 4 . . . 

— 23. This day in Study, news y' y' french and Indians have 

made an irruption on our western borders. 

— 24. Lords day I preached per totum from psal. 94. 19. . . . 

— 28. This day lecture, I preached from Joh. 3. 14. 15. 

December begins 
Dec. I. Lords day I preached per totum from Joh. 3. 14. 15. 
James Shepard made a publick confession «Sc^ Benjamin y* 
son of Sam". Graham and Ruth y' daughter of Daniel Spencer 
were baptized 

— 8. Lords day I preached A.M. from rom. 13. 14. P.NL indis- 

posed went not out. 

— 11. This day reading y* September testimony" 

— 15. Lords day preached A:M. from rom. 13. 14. and P.ISL from 

Matt. 9. 2. 

— 16. This day some study, at night reckoned with y' Comm*''* 



' A nte, p. 60, note. 

' The Association's Testimony against Whitefield, mentioned ante, p. lao. 



128 wadsworth's diary [1746 

— 22. Lords day preached A:M. from Matt. 9. 2. & P.M. from 

Col. 3. 5. Joseph Wadsworth Jun"". and his wife owned y* 
Covenant 

— 23. . . . news of a great number of Indians near y* upper 

Towns 

— 29. Lords day 1 preached per totum from heb. 2. 14. 15. 

January [1746. J 

Jany 2. . . . in y^ afternoon Lecture at y* South Meeting 
house M^ Whitman preached from Matt. 20. 28. 

— 5. Lords day I preached per totum from rom. 6. 21. I pray 

God to bless his word . . . 

— 12. Lords day I preached per totum from Col. i. 10. . . . 

y* pretenders cause' earnestly prayed against 

— 17. This day . . . reading [illegible] History of y^ re- 

bellion 

— 19. Lords day I preached pr. totum from psal. 90. 12. . . . 

— 20. This day visited M'. Woodbridge and M'. Colton 

— 26. Lords day I preached pr. totum from psal. 20. 4 

— 28. This day went to Farmington and returned. 

— 30. in y^ afternoon lecture I preached from i. Cor. 11. 26. 

— 31. This day in study P. Field here 

February begins 
Feby. 2. Lords day I preached . . . and adminstred y* Sacra- 
ment. 

— 4. This day went to y* association at Windsor 

— 5. This day lecture at M^ Marsh at Windsor I preached 

from I Joh. 3. 9. & returned home 

— 9. Lords day I preached pr. totum from luk. 18. 3 and bap- 

tized Neil y* son of Docf. M"=Lean and Timothy y' son of 
Joseph Wadsworth 

— 12. This day went to y^ west division nil remarkable occurs 

read y* y^ pretender was taken 

— 15. Lords day I preached pr. totum from 2. Cor. 6. 2. I pray 

God to bless . . . 

— 18. This day visited M"". Woodbridge 

— 19. This day ... nil remarkable occurs, save y* Thomas 

Croswell died very suddenly in y^ evening 



1 Prince Charles Edward, grandson of James II, had just landed in Scotland, gained a vic- 
tory at Preston Pans, reduced Carlisle, and advanced into England. On the following i6th of 
April he was defeated at Culloden and the Stuart cause finally lost. 



1746] wadsworth's diary 129 

— 2 2. . . . y* news of the defeat of y" pretenders army con- 

firmed 

— 23. ^ Lords day preached A:M: from Eccl. 9. 12. and P.M. from 

2. Cor. 4. 18 

— 25. This day went to New-Haven severe cold 

— 26. This day spent at N-Haven 

— 27. This day as y' former 

— 28. This day returned home, found my family well Laus Ueo 

March begins 
Mch. 2. Lords day I preached A:M from 2 cor. 4. iS and V: M: 
from Col. I. 13. I pray God to bless his word 

— 4. This day study &■= prayed at Court, y*^ Superior Court opened 

in this Town 

— 9. Lords day preached A.M from Eph. 6. 11. & p.m. from Col. 

3. 16. 

— II. This day spent at Court . . . at night died Ensign 

Nathaniel Goodwin a good old man and full of daies 

— 13. This day . . . Ensign Nathaniel Goodwin Interred, a 

good old man, full of daies, aged about 78 or 79. 

— 16. Lords day I preached per totum from psal. 73. 26. I pray 

God . . . pardon what has been amiss in me. 

— 19. This day . . . reading Walls history of Infant Baptism 

— 2^. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Daniel y* son 

of M^ Daniel Edwards 

— 24. This day went to Farmington, Saw my friends in usual 

health. Laus Deo 

— 25. This day returned home, found my family well, Laus Deo 

— 29. This day in study, M'. President Clap here 

— 30. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized Elizabeth y' 

daughter of John Sheldon. 
April begins 
Apl. 2. This day went to Weathersfield, Study &^ M^ Clap went 
from hence 

— 3. This day ... in y* afternoon a lecture M^ M'.Clenachan ' 

preached from Amos 4. 11. 

— 6. Lords day I preached pr. totum from phil. 3. 8 and admin- 

istred y* Sacrament . . . 

— 7. This day freemans meeting. M^ Colton preached from 

Isai. i: 26. M'. Buckingham and M'. Joseph Talcot chosen 
Deputies 



> Probably some friend of the Scotch brothers Morison, particularly it may be of Rev. Evan- 
der. The name has been vainly sought in the usual finding-places of ministers of the period. 

17 



130 wadsworth's diary [1746 

— 9. This day publick fast. I preached A:M. from lev. 26. 3. 6. 

«Sc M"". Whitman P.M. from Joshua 24. 20. 

— II. This day . . . Samuel Benton Interred 

— 13. Lords day I preached pr. totum from i Cor. i. 18 And 

baptized Thankfull y* daughter of Nehemiah Cadwell 

— 14. This day went to Durham 

— 15. This day went to New=Haven 

— 16. This day y* Corporation met Came into various acts 

— 17. This day returned to Durham 

— 18. This day returned home, found my family well. Laus Deo. 

— 20. Lords day I preached . . . 

— 21. This day visiting &^ Comes news from Louisburg of y^ 

death of Lieut"'. Ashley' and others of this Town. 

— 25. . . . News of y" destruction of Ashuelot by the Indians 

but wants confirmation 

— 27. Lords day I preached pr totum from Eccles. 7: 14. and 

baptized Thomas and Joseph sons of Joseph Wadsworth Jun'. 
and Elisha y* son of Elisha Pratt. 
May begins 
May 4. Lords day preached . . . and administred y* Sacra- 
ment . . . rainy day 

— 8. This day Gen". Election. M'. S: HalP preached from 2 

chron. 19. 5. 6. Govern'. Dep: Govern"'. & Assistants as in y* 
year past. Saving Col: Whiting left out and Col. Burr put in 

— II. Lords day M''. Hall preached for me. 

— 18. Lords day I preached . . . 

— 19. This day and yesterday marched forth 300 men for y^ 

defence of our frontiers, nil remarkable 

— 22. . . . y" soldiers that went to y^ western frontiers 

returned without discovering any enemy ^ 



1 Ezekiel Ashley, commissioned at the May session of the Assembly, 1745, as " Lieutenant of 
one of the companies . . . for the expedition against Cape Breton." Before leaving Hartford 
Ashley made a will, dated June 28, 1745, in which he leaves his property to his " loving wife 
Hannah," charging her with some small bestowments upon his son Ezekiel, and his two daughters, 
Hannah and Griffith, when they come to be of age. 

2 Rev. Samuel Hall of New Cheshire (afterward Cheshire), born at Wallingford, Oct. 5, 1695; 
grad. Y. C. 1716 ; ordained at December 9, 1724 ; died in office February 26, 1776. He preached 
the Election Sermon (as recorded above) May 8, 1746, and was a vigorous Old Light in current 
controversies. 

3 The General .\ssembly " for the encouragement " of those engaged in this border defence 
enacted at this session that " all such officers and souldiers as shall provide themselves with arms, 
ammunition, provisions and other necessaries, shall have as a reward for every male prisoner of the 
Indian enemy sixteen years old and upward the sum of three hundred pounds bills of credit old 
tenor, and for every scalp of such Indian 16 year old and upward, half so much ; and for every 
female prisoner or childrcti under the age of sixteen years of such Indians the sum of one hundred 



1746] wadsworth's diary 



131 



— 25. Lords day I preached . . . and baptized James y' son 

of James Shepard. 

— 26. This day Jonathan Skinner was killed in an Instant by y' 

accidental firing of a great Gun and John Bunce and Benjamin 
Gardner grievously wounded. 

— 27. This day . . . Jonathan Skinner Interred 

— 29. This day study, lecture in y* afternoon 

— 31. This day in study, y^ General assembly Adjourned 

June begins 
June I. Lords day I preached pr. totum from Eccl. 7. 2. iL' bap- 
tized Sarah the daughter of William Tyley & Abigail y* daugh- 
ter of Stephen Turner 

— 3. This day Association met at M'. Whitmans.' 

— 4. This day lecture at M"". Whitmans meeting. AF. Whitman 

of Farmington preached from 2 Cor. i. 2. 
This morning about 8 o'clock was heard a loud rumbling noise 
something like thunder, some tho't it an earthquake, to y" 
southeast but wee since hear that in divers places was seen a 
Large Ball of fire moving south eastward, and was seen to 
break, which was presently followed with y* noise above 
mentioned 

— 8. Lords day I preached A.M. from Eph. 6. 4. & P.M. from 

Matt. 24. 12. . . . 



and fifty pounds like bills, and for every scalp of such enemy Indian female or children of such 
Indians half so much, to be paid out of the treasury of this Colony, on an order drawn by said 
Committee [of War], on the producing to them of such prisoners or scalps." 

It is gratifying to notice even so much delicacy on the Assembly's part respecting the above 
atrocious order, that the "entry on the publick records" of all votes "passed by this Assembly for 
the encouragement of obtaining Indian enemy prisoners or their scalps," was suppressed till further 
order. 

• This meeting of the Association was mainly concerned about the question of the expediency 
of settling Rev. David S. Rowland in the Northwest Society of Simsbury (now Granby). Mr. Row- 
land was born in Fairfield in 1719 ; grad. Y. C. 1743, and after very brief preparation was licensed 
to preach, in August, 1744, by the "New Light" Fairfield .Association. By February, 1745, he was 
preaching at the Symsbury Northwest Society ; but his settlement was delayed by advice of the 
Hartford Association given in October of that year. At this June meeting the Association 
appointed a committee, of which Mr. Whitman of Farmington and Mr. Whitman of Hartford and 
Mr. Wadsworth were members to "see to it," as preliminary to any consent to his ordination, that 
Mr. Rowland "approve and submit to the Ecclesiastical Constitution established in the churches of 
Connecticut," as, also, that "the said Rowland will not Countenance and encourage Mr. White- 
field by inviting him to preach or attending his administrations or on any other Itinerant Preachers, 
or any other of the errors, seperations or disorders prevailing in y» County." As a result of this 
action Mr. Rowland's ordination at Simsbury failed to take place, though he continued to preach 
there until August, 1747. He was subsequently some years at Plainfield, where he was ordained, 
and at Providence, R. I., in both of which places he had an unquiet career, but w.is finally installed 
at Windsor (First Church) March 27, 1776, where he died Jan. 13, 1794. He published several 
sermons, some of which were plainly occasioned by episodes of his rather chequered ecclesiastical 
experiences. 



132 wadsworth's diary [1746 

- 9. This day . . . in y' morning died the Rev'*. M"". Samuel 
Woodbridge Pastor of y* Church on y* East Side of y* River in 
this Town.' 

— 10. This day y' Rev**. AP. Samuel Woodbridge was Interred. 

The Rev**. M^ Ashbel Woodbridge preached a Sermon on y' 
occasion from phil. i. 23. 

— II. . . . Doct^ Chauncey & AP. Tailor* here 

— 15. Lords day I preached A:M: from Joh. 11: 11 & P.M. from 

Matt. 24. 12. and catechised y* children 

— 19. This day . . . y" Gen'. Assembly met at New Haven 

— 22. Lords day I preached A: M: from Matt. 24. 12 & P.M. from 

Eph. 2. 4. 5. and baptized Rebecca y* daughter of Elijah 
Cadwell 

— 24. This day went to y" West Division upon a certain affair, 

returned re Infecta 

— 26. This day ... at Deac". Sheldon wedding, at night 

married Moses Dickinson & Elizabeth Pratt. 

— 29. Lords day I preached A:M: from Eph. 2. 4. 5. & P.M.: from 

gen. I. 26. 
July I. This morning about break o' day my wife was safely 
delivered of a daughter.^ Laus Deo. 

— 3. . . . in y' afternoon a Lecture at M^ Whitmans meeting 

he preached from Joh. 20. 31. 

— 4. . . . nil remarkable domestick, from abroad wee hear y* 

y" rebels are totally defeated 

— 6. Lords day I preached A.M. from Joh. 17. 24. and adminis- 

tred y" Sacrament, and P.M. from Jer. 3. 12 and baptized my 
daughter Ruth 

— 10. This day went to Glastenbury on a visit to M^ Wood- 

bridge* who is going chaplain in y^ Army to Canada w" God 
prosper 

— 13. Lords day I preached A:M; from Jer. 3. 12. & P.M. from 

psal. 31. 19. . . . 

— 15. This day . . . was Interred on Sowerhill a soldier from 

Cape Breton and his wife 

— 17. . . . the defeat of the Rebels farther Confirmed 



' Ante, pp. 14, 85, and notes. 

2 Probably Rev. John Taylor, born at Boston ; grad. H. C. 1721 ; ordained at Milton, Mass., 
Nov. 13, 1728; died Jan. 26, 1750, aged forty-six. 

' Ruth, who lived only four years, dying Dec. 27, 1750. 

* A nie, p. 25, note. As events turned Mr. Woodbridge did not go to Canada, and the regi- 
ment was disbanded in October following the present date. 



1746] wadsworth's diary 133 

— 20. Lords day I preached A: M: from psal. 31. 19 iV P.M: from 

luk. 12. 15. 

— 21. This day study, news y' y^ fleet for Canada is not likily to 

come this year 

— 27. Lords day I preached p^ totum from heb. 3. 7. 8. . . 

— 31. This day . . . in y' afternoon a lecture M'. Williams 

preached from Joh. 15. 12. 
August begins 
Aug. 3. Lords day 1 preached from act. 2. 36 p^ totum 

— 8. This day in study orders come for y" marching troops to N. 

London 

— 10. Lords day I preached A.M. from heb. 12. n and P.M. from 

psal. 97. I. and baptized Huldah y' daughter of John Shepard 

— 12. This day prayed with y' soldiers that marched from here 

toward New-London going on y" expedition ag' Canada I 
pray God to go with & prosper them. 

— 15. This day accompanied Col. Talcot, L* Piiggelow & Doct'. 

Morison part of y* way on y' Journey to N. London ' 

— 16. This day Study, went over y* river 

— 17. Lords day preached on y* East side A: M: from phil. 4. 20. 

and P.M. from psal. 97. i. 

— 20. This day went to Farmington . . . returned found my 

family well Laus Deo 

— 24. Lords day I preached A.M from [illegible] 12. 11 and P.^L 

from act. 2. 36. in y* afternoon a thunder storm 

— 25. This day went to Norwich 

— 26. This day went to N. London 

— 27. This day back to Norwich 

— 29. This day returned home found my family well Laus Deo. 

— 31. Lords day I preached pr. totum from phil. 3. 13. 14. rainy 

weather 

September — 
Sept. I. This day went to Durham 

— 2. This day went to New-Haven 

— 3. This day Commencement at N: Haven. 



• At the June session of the General Assembly it had been resolved to raise " as soon as pos- 
sible in this Colony the number of one thousand able bodied effective men," to be "imployed in his 
Majeslie's service for the reduction of Canada." Samuel Talcott had been designated as Lt.- 
Colonel; Timothy Bigelow " Second lieutenant of the Colonel's Company"; and Dr. Normand 
Morrison as " Chief Physician and Chirurgeon." Thirty pounds bounty was offered to every s.ildicr 
enlisting ; and impressment into ser\ice could be resorted to if enlistment failed. These prepara- 
tions were, however, rendered nugatory by events quite outside of Colonial influence, and the regi- 
ment did not leave the soil of the Commonwealth. 



134 wadsworth's diary [1746 

— 4. This day returned to Wallingford 

— 5. This day returned Home found my family well Laus Deo. 

— 7. Lords day I preached pr. totum from act. 13. 47 

— 9. This day some study. Presdt. Clap here at night 

— II. This day went to Farmington returned found my family 

well Laus Deo 

— 12. . . . Laboured under indisposition 

— 14. Lords day I preached per totum from Col. i. 21. . . . 

pardon whatsoever thou has seen amiss in me 

— 17. This day some study, wrote my will,' visited a prisoner 

— 18. This day . . . attended y* funeral of widow Webster 

— 21. Lords day I preached . . . 

— 23. This day went to Windsor on a visit 

— 28. Lords day I preached pr. totum from psal. 50. 11. 

— 29. . . . y" talk of a french fleet alarms y"" country 

October begins 
Oct. 2. This day in Study, in y* afternoon preached a lecture 
previous to y^ Sacrament'^ from rom. 10. 4 

— 5. Lords day I preached pr. totum from psal. 73. t,^ and ad- 

ministred y* Sacrament, and baptized Elizabeth y* daughter 
of Colonel Talcot. 

— 7. This day went to y^ Association at Harwinton 

— 8. This day association Lecture at Harwinton, lecture preached 

by M'. Gid. Mills from Matt. 11. 28. Came to Farmington. 

— 9. This day returned Home found my family well. 

— 12. Lords day I preached pr. totum from Jam. 5. 19. 20. and 

baptized Sarah y'' daughter of Dan". Goodwin and Dorcas y* 
daughter of Samuel Andrus 

— 15. This day visiting Last night died Dorothy y* wife of Lt. 

Daniel Goodwin and this day Died Noadiah Phelps a stranger 
in Town 

— 19. Lords day preached per totum from Job 2: 10 and baptized 

James y* son of Diostheus Humphrys 



' This will was apparently executed Dec. 19 following. Mr. Wadsworth added a codicil, in 
a noticably feebler hand, on October 3d of the subsequent year, 1747, giving his wife, in addition to 
former provision made for her, a certain piece of land in Farmington. 

The inventory of his property, as proved after his decease, showed real estate in Hartford to 
the amount of ;^3,45o ; and in Farmington of ;{^i,ii7. A list of his Library may be found in 
Walker's History 0/ the First Chttrcli of Hartford. It may be interesting to note that there 
are specified as items of his personalty also, " i Black cow, i Red Cow, i Brindle white-face, 21 
Sheep., 1 old negro woman nam'd Rose, 6 Loads of Hay, one Hive bees." 

* This is the first indication in the First Church history of what has in modern times been 
familiarly known as the Preparatory Lecture. Such a lecture seems to have been established some 
time before in several Boston churches ; the first one being March 4, 1720, by the cooperate action 
of the First and the Brattle Street churches, then respectively under the charge of Rev. Thomas 
Foxcroft and Rev. Benjamin Colnian. 



174^] wadsworth's diary 135 

— 22. This day . . . M^ Kliot here 

— 26. Lords day preached . . . and baptized Huldah y' 

daughter of Daniel Brace 

— 30. This day study, lecture in y* afternoon at M'. \\ hitmans 

meeting M^ Whitman preached from psal. 119. 34 
Nov. 1746 
Nov. 2. Lords day preached A:M. Joh. 3. 17. P.M. rom. 2. 4. 

— 5. This day publick thanksgiving preached from Isai. 25. i. 

— 8. This day . . . received a letter from Thomas Wads- 

worth of Longbuckby in England 

— 9. Lords day preached A:M: from Isai. 65. 12. and P.M: from 

Job 21. 14 

— II. This day went to Farmington Saw my friends in usual 

health, returned found my family well Laus Deo 

— 12. . . . IVP. John EUery who died y' 10 Instant, was In- 

terred 

— 16. Lords day I preached A.M. from Joh. 9. 4. & P.M. from 

rom. 12. I. I pray god to make his word beneficial to y" y' 
heard it 

— 23. Lords day I preached per totum from Eph. 5. 8 and Mary 

Skinner was admitted to Communion with y* Church 

— 25. . . . M'. Hez. Ripley & Mary Skinner married. 

— 26. This day without study, rainy weather, no study 

— 27. This day writing &^ nil remarkable occurs 

— 30. Lords day preached A.M: from 2 pet. 3. 3. 4. and P.M. from 

Col. 3. 6. 

December begins 
Dec. 4. This . . . P.M. preached a Lecture from rev. i. 5. 

— 7. Lords day I preached A:M. from Isai. 53. 5. and adminis- 

tred y* Sacrament and P.M. from Eccles. i. 2. baptized Abi- 
gail y' daughter of Jos: Shepard Jun'.' 

— 8. This day ... at night reckoned with y' Society com"*. 

— 14. Lords day I preached A:M: from Eccles. i. 2. and P.M. 

from Ezek. 22. 19. 

— 19. This day in y' forenoon I was suddenly seized with a faint- 

ing or epileptick fit, y' form'. I suppose, but thro' gods great 
goodness I am recovered, praised be his name for it. may I 
live to his praise 

— 20. This day kept house. 



1 The baptism of this child is the last act of Mr. Wadsworth recorded by him on his 
Official Church-Book. It is apparent from his handwriting in this Diao', as well as from more 
formal expressions, that he had been gradually growing feebler in health. 



136 wadsworth's diary [1747 

— 2 1. Lords day, I went not out by reason of my indisposition 

— 23. This day reading, our Society at y* meeting voted me 

^340. salary. 

— 27. Lords day I preached A:M: from Lam. 3. 22 and P.M. 

from Ezek. 22. 14. 

January begins [1747. J 

Jany. i. This day a lecture at M^ Whitmans meeting. M^ Will"' 
preached from prov. 13. 13. 

— 2. This day study, snowed 

— 3. This day in Study, pray God I may be prepared for y* 

duties of y* approaching Sabbath 

— 4. Lords day I preached pr. totum from rom. 6. 11. 

— 5. This day went to Weathersfield over y* river &*. 

— 6. This day indisposed, took physick 

— 7. This day spent in visiting 

— 8. This day in Study &"=. 

— 9. This day Rec''. a Paquet from Doct^ Doddridge with some 

pamphlets 

— 10. This day in Study nil remarkable occurs 

— II. Lords day I preached A.AL from Eph. 5. i. and P.M. from 

luk. 4. 36 

— 12. This day in studying, visiting &^ 

— 14. This day held a fast at M^ Williamsons to pray for his 

wife that has been a Long time in a distressed Condition, 
M'. Colton preached from psal. 37. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 

— 15. This day went to Farmington. Saw my friends in usual 

health returned in safety, Laus Deo. 

— 16. This day indisposed 

— 17. This day had an epileptick fit in y*^ morning, but thro' gods 

goodness was carried thro' 

— 18. Lords day I went not out by reason of indisposition 

both Societies met at y' South meeting house 

— 19. This day visiting and being visited 

— 20. This day incapable of study 

— 21. This day under indisposition 

— 22. As before 

— 23. As before 

— 24. Advised by a physician not to preach tomorrow 

— 25. Lords day went not out in the forenoon in y* afternoon 

went to M*". Whitmans meeting he preached from luk. 10. 42 



1747] WADSWORTIl'S DIARY 1 37 

— 26. went to Stepney returned late' 

— 27. This day at home 

— 28. This day as y' former 

— 29. This as before 

— 30. and this in like manner 

— 31. This day visitinj^ and receiving visits 

February begins 
Feby. i. Lords day went to meeting in y' afternoon ^^. Whit- 
man preached from Zech. 9. 10. 

— 2. 3. 4. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday spent chiefly in giving 

and receiving visits and preparing for my Intended voyage 
unto y' West Indies 

— 5. This day went to Farmington. Saw my friends in usual 

health, returned safely, Laus Deo 



My indisposition incapacitated me about this time to keep a 
Diary. I therefore now enter only some remarkables 

On y^ lo"" of Feb. I had a small touch of an Epileptick fit w". 
lasted but a minute or two and did not deprive me of my reason 

On y* i6"* instant another small touch of a fit 



The above is the last entry made by Mr. Wadsworth in his 
diary. Whether he carried out his intention to take a sea voyage 
cannot, perhaps, positively be stated, but it seems altogether im- 
probable. On March 2d, and on August 4th, votes indicative of 
the pastor's continued "indisposition" are recorded in the Society's 
minutes; and on the second of those occasions a committee was 
instructed " to apply themselves to M^ Edward Dorr to Continue 
to Administer to this Society during M^ Wadsworths Incapacity, 
and as need shall require." 

Mr. Wadsworth survived till November 12, 17-17, lacking two 
days of forty-three years of age, and having filled a pastoral term 
of fifteen years and two months. 

> A meeting of the First Kcclesi.istical .Society of this date, Jan. 26, took a.llon for the .secur- 
ing a minister "during Mr. W.idsworth's absence provided he go to Sea for his health." 



18 



INDEX. 



Aaron, Lieutenant, 64. 
Abbe, Thomas, 35. 
Adams, Rev. Eliplialet, 85. 
Adams, Joseph, 108. 
Adams, William, 86. 

Adams, , 12. 

Alcot, George, 66, 92. 

Alcot, George, Jr., 92. 

Alcot, John, 76. 

Alcot, Jonathan, 32. 

Alcot, Joseph, 76. 

Alcot, Sarah, 32. 

Aldridge, Edward, 91. 

Allen, Rev. James, 40. 

Allen, Jeremiah, 40. 

Allyn, i\Ir., 1 16. 

Andrews, Elijah, 9, 89. 

Andrews, Jerusha, 82. 

Andrews, John, 62. 

Andrews, Rebecca, 124. 

Andrews, Rev. Samuel, 19. 

Andrews, Samuel, 62, 89, 124. 

Andrews, Thomas, loi. 

Andrews, Thomas, Jr., loi, 102. 

.Vndrews, Thomas, 3d, loi. 

Andrus, Dorcas, 134. 

Andrus, James, 107. 

Andrus, Nathaniel, 122. 

Andrus, Samuel, 107, 134. 

Andrus, Widow, 125. 

Ashley, Abigail, 32. 

Ashley, Lieutenant Ezekiel, 130. 

Ashley, Griffith, 130. 

Ashley, Hannah, 130. 

Ashley, Jonathan, 130. 

Ashley, Mary, 112. 

Ashuelot reported destroyed, 130. 

Association, at Farmington, 66; at East 

Hartford, 70; at Windsor, 73, 120. 
Association, General, 85. 
Atwood, Jedidiah, 126. 
Austin, John, 45, 104. 



Austin, Mary, 11. 

Austin, Mr., 87. 

Awakening, The, resolves about, 66; re- 
solves at East Hartford, 70; degener- 
ating into strife, 71, 72,87; resolves 
at New London, 85. 

Backus, Rev. Simon, 36, 61. 

Badger, Daniel, Jr., 67, 96. 

Badger, Daniel, 3d, 67. 

Badger, Mary, 96. 

Baptisms since ordination, 32. 

Barber, Rev. Jonathan, 21, 70. 

Barnard, Benjamin, 66. 

Barnard, Joseph, 37, 51, 54. 

Barnard, Moses, 120. 

Barnard, Rebecca, 64, iii. 

Barnett, John, 23. 

Bartholomew, Rev. Andrew, notice of, 

28; ordained, 30; 105, 120. 
Bartlett, Rev. Moses, 36. 
Bartlett, Robert, 28. 
Beauchamp, John, 57. 
Beauchamp, Susannah, 75. 
Belden, Rev. Joshua, 126. 
Belding, Ebenezer, 35. 
Bell, Church, 11, 31. 
Bellamy, Rev. Joseph, 67, 72, 81, 112. 
Benton, Abigail, 62. 
Benton, Samuel, 130. 
Bicknel, James, 57, 76, 77, 97. 
Bicknel, Jerusha, 97. 
Bicknel, Moses, 76, 77. 
Bicknel, Mr., 74. 
Bid well, Rev. Adonijah, 105. 
Bidwell, John, 85. 
Bidwell, Matthew, 67. 
Bidwell, Roger, 97. 
Bidwell, Sarah, 49. 
Biggelow, John, 71, 81. 
Biggelow, James, 123. 
Biggelow, Mary, 51. 



I40 



INDEX 



Biggelow, Timothy, 71, 81, 92, 123, 133. 
Bissell, Rev. Ilezekiah, notice of, 20; 

31. 34, 36, 48, 66, 69, 71, 102, 116. 
Blin, Mary, 75. 
Bolton, Association at, 25. 
Bostwick, Rev. Ephraim, 13. 
Brace, Ann, 32. 
Brace, Daniel, 93, 117, 135. 
Brace, Dorcas, 32. 
Brace, Frances, 93. 
Brace, Huldah, 135. 
Brace, Jemima, 6g, 74. 
Brace, John, 64. 
Brace, Josiah, 117. 
Brace, Nathaniel, 64. 
Brace, Rebecca, 32. 
Brainard, Rev. David, 62. 
Brainard, Rev. Nehemiah, 40, 62. 
" Brief" for a Collection, 123. 
Brown, Daniel, 35, 36, 38, 39, 43, 44, 

45, 46, 49, 61. 
Brown, " Ingenious Mr.", 65. 
Buckingham, Joseph, 37, 49, Si, 91, gS, 

104, III, 122, i2g. 
Bulkley, Colonel John, 24, 99. 
Bull, Caleb, 66. 
Bull, Daniel, 83, 93. 
Bull, Rev. Nehemiah, notice of, 21; 22, 

26, 43, 49- 
Bunce, Ann, drowned, 15. 
Bunce, Daniel, 57. 
Bunce, James, 15. 
Bunce, John, 15, 22, 131. 
Burkitt, John, 41, 43. 
Burnham, Ashbel, 23, 
Burnham, Lois, go. 
Burnham, Martha, 69. 
Burnham, Michael, 23, go. 
Burnham, Moses, 127. 
Burnham, Nathaniel, 127. 
Burnham, Richard, 49, 117. 
Burnham, Rev. William, 2g. 
Burr, Col. Andrew, 121, 130. 
Burr, Maj. John, 8, 25. 
Burr, Elizabeth, 122. 
Burr, Rev. Isaac, notice of, 8, 24, 33, 

38, 44, 4g, 54, 62, 80, g4, g6. 
Burr, Moses, 122, 124. 
Burr, Rebecca, 107. 



Burr, Samuel, iig. 
Burr, Thomas, g. 
Burr, Thomas, Jr., iig. 
Butler, Anne, 100. 
Butler, Daniel, 45, 100, 126. 
Butler, Hannah, 45. 
Butler, Isaac, 20. 
Butler, Jonathan, 27, 67. 
Butler, Mary, 21, 62, 67. 
Butler, Mr., iig. 
Butler, Sarah, 20, 21. 
Butler, Susannah, 64. 
Butler, Thankful, 126. 

Cadwell, Aaron, 23, 4g. 

Cadwell, Abraham, 77, 102, 123. 

Cadwell, Catherine, 23. 

Cadwell, Christian, 102. 

Cadwell, Edward, Jr., 53, 54, 66, 67, 

95, 122. 
Cadwell, Elijah, 107, iig, 132. 
Cadwell, Elijah, Jr., iig. 
Cadwell, Hannah, 28. 
Cadwell, Lois, 124. 
Cadwell, Mabel, 123. 
Cadwell, Moses, 20, 102, 124. 
Cadwell, Nehemiah, 28, 107, 130. 
Cadwell, Olive, 101. 
Cadwell, Penelope, 20. 
Cadwell, Rebecca, 132. 
Cadwell, Ruth, 53, 122. 
Cadwell, Sarah, 77. 
Cadwell, Susannah, 107. 
Cadwell, Thankful, 130. 
Caldwell, Rev. John, 80, 92. 
Caldwell, Hannah, 14. 
Cambridge Platform, 39. 
Campbell, Rev. James, 42, 83. 
Canaan, Contribution for, iii. 
Canada Expedition, 132, 133. 
Cape Breton, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 

132. 
Caroline, Queen, 21, 22, 23. 
Carpenter, Rev. Ezra, 116. 
Carthagena, Siege of, 65, 66, 68. 
Cathcart, Lord, 4g, 54, 5g. 
Catlin, Abijah, 27, 28. 
Catlin, Benjamin, 30, 32, 35, 36. 
Catlin, Daniel, 27, 35. 



INDEX 



141 



Catlin, Hannah, 17, 30. 

Catlin, Jonathan, 112. 

Catlin, Margaret, 30. 

Charles Edward, Prince, 127, 128, 129, 

132. 
Chauncey, Rev. Charles, notice of, 86; 

88, 91, 95, 96, 104, 119, 122, 132. 
Chauncey, Rev. Nathaniel, 43. 
Checkley, Rev. Samuel, 117. 
Church, Capt. James, 121, 125. 
Church, Mr., 62, 78, 79. 
Clap, Rev. Thomas, notice of, 38; 45, 

48, 54, 65, 70, 72, 80, III, 113, 120, 

122, 124, 126, 127, 129, 134. 
Clap, Thomas, 114. 
Clark, Barzillai, 34, 124, 103. 
Clark, Lt.-Gov. George, 22. 
Clark, Isaac, 95, 102, 116, 125. 
Clark, Isaac, Jr., 116. 
Clark, Ruth, 106, 125. 
Clark, Samuel, 103. 
Clark, Sarah, 36. 
Clark, Timothy, 124. 
Clark, Widow, 104. 
Cleveland, Rev. Aaron, 21. 
Cole, John, 115. 
Collier, Daniel, 27. 
Collier, Ilezekiah, 53. 
Collier, Joseph, 30. 
Collier, John, 53. 
Collier, Thankful. 112. 
Colman, Rev. Benjamin, notice of, 19; 

37, 55. 114. 134- 

Collins, Rev. Timothy, notice of, 81; 94, 
105, 108, 112, 118, 120. 

Colton, Rev. Benjamin, 5; preaches 
election sermon, 8; notice of, 8; 13, 
14, 16, 21, 41, 44, 46, 48; preached 
at Freeman's meeting, 49; 51, 58, 64, 
69, 73, 75, 79, 84, 85; church troubles, 
90; 94, 96, 98, 100, loi, 103, 104, 
105, 116, 117, 120, 126, 128, 129, 
136. 

Colton, Rev. Eli, 19, 86, 117, 120. 

Comets, 80, 109, no. 

Commencement at New Haven, 29, 42, 
54, 72, 91, 104, 116, 126, 133. 

Committee to admit preachers, 88. 



Connecticut River, early freezing, 93; 

great flood, 57, 58. 
Consociation, General, 75, 76. 
Consociation system, 39. 
"Conventicle" meetings, 93. 
Cook, Aaron, 27, 29, 104. 
Cook, Deborah, 34, 57. 
Cook, Elizabeth, 85. 
Cook, Hannah, 27, 29. 
Cook, Lieut. John, 26, 49, 104. 
Cook, John, 28. 
Cook, Capt. Joseph, 54. 
Cook, Moses, 27. 
Croswell, John, 104. 
Croswell, Joseph, 79. 
Croswell, Thomas, 79, 104, 128. 
Curtis, Rev. Jeremiah, 31, 96. 

Davenport, Rev. James, 21, 63; notice 
of, 70, 71; 72; arrested, 83; sent out 
of Colony, 84; at Boston, 86; impris- 
oned at Boston, 90. 

Day, Mr., 119, 126. 

Day, Widow, 33. 

Day, William, 33. 

De.Kter, F. B., Yale Biographies, 8,63. 

Diar, Elisha, 36. 

Dickinson, Rev. Jonathan, 77. 

Dickinson, Moses, 132. 

Dickinson, Rev. Moses, 41. 

Dickinson, Susannah, 82. 

Diggins, Joseph, 37, 50. 

Dod, Benjamin, 20. 

Dod, Dorcas, 17. 

Dod, Edward, in, 122. 

Dod, John, 16, 122. 

Doddridge, Rev. Philip, 19, 20, 27, 37, 
40, 55, 67, 73, loi, 107, 136. 

Dorr, Rev. Edward, 137. 

Douse, Mr., 38. 

Dwight, Samuel, 39. 

Earthquake, 17, 131. 
Easton, Elias, 17. 
Easton, John, 17. 
Edwards, Christian, 107. 
Edwards, Daniel, 40, 129. 
Edwards, Daniel, Jr., 129. 



I 



142 



INDEX 



Edwards, Deacon John, 75, 108. 

Edwards, Rev. John, 116. 

Edwards, Rev. Jonathan, 14, 55, notice 

of, 63; 78, 109. 
Edwards, Richard, 14. 
Edwards, Samuel, 40. 
Edwards, Rev. Thomas, 103. 
Edwards, Rev. Timothy, 5; notice of, 
14, 15; 16, 29; church difficulties, 37, 
39. 50; Stafford Council, 51; at Po- 
quonock ordination, 58; 77, 81, 101, 
103, 112. 
Eggleston, Daniel, 112. 
Eggleston, Nathaniel, 22. 
Elmer, Rev. Daniel, 30. 
Eells, Rev. Edward, 29. 
Eells, Rev. Nathaniel, 29. 
Eells, Samuel, 8, 25. 
Eliot, Rev. Andrew, 98, 104, 108. 
Eliot, Rev. Jared, notice of, 39, 40; pre- 
scribes for Mr. Wadsvvorth, 40; 69, 
85, 92, 104, 135. 
Eliot, Rev. John, 18. 
Ellery, J., 11. 
Ellery, John, 135. 
Ensign, David, 104. 
Ensign, Isaac, 114. 
Ensign, Isaiah, 114. 
Ensign, Moses, 49, 114. 
Ensign, Samuel, 49. 
Ensign, Thomas, Sr., i8. 
Ensign, Thomas, 81. 
"Enthusiasm" deprecated, 49, 86, 88, 

89. 
Estabrook, Rev. llobart, 52, 95. 
Evening meetings, 59, 60, 61; statement 
respecting, 66; 86, 90, 93, 95, 96, 97, 
et seq. 
Evening Post, newspaper, 92. 

Farnsworth, Abigail, 64. 

Farnsworth, Jerusha, 64, 66. 

Farnsworth, Joseph, 73, 75. 

Farnsworth, Dr. Joseph, 124. 

Farnsworth, Mary, 18, 34, 73. 

Farmington and Wethersfield, arbitra- 
tions between, 11. 

P'ast Days, 23, 49, 61, 62, 81, 98, iii, 
115, 122, 130, 136. 



Field, Is., 128. 

Firmin, Giles, 69, 109. 

First Church Records, 20. 

Fisk, Rev. Phineas, 10. 

Fitch, Dr. James, 77. 

Fitch, Thomas, 50. 

Flagg, Abigail, 22. 

Flagg, Hannah, 78. 

Flagg, Jonathan, 125. 

Flagg, Joseph, 48. 

Flagg, Mr., 54. 

Flagg, Samuel, 22, 78, 104, 125. 

Flagg, Susannah, 104. 

Fowler, John, 94. 

Foxcroft, Rev. Thomas, 23, 134. 

French War, 74, 113, 134. 

Freshet, great, 57, 58. 

Fuller, Rev. Daniel, 120. 

Gardner, Benjamin, 131. 

Gay, Rev. Ebenezer, 114. 

Gaylord, Rev. William, 52. 

Georgia, Spanish attack on, 89. 

Gilbert, Joseph, Jr., 73. 

Gilbert, Mercy, 52. 

Gilbert, Susannah, 52. 

Gilman, Rebecca, 115. 

Gilman, Solomon, 115. 

Goodman, Richard, 62. 

Goodwin, Abigail, 22. 

Goodwin, Daniel, 15, 24, 88, 106, 125, 

134- 
Goodwin, Daniel, Jr., 125. 
Goodwin, Dorothy, 88, 134. 
Goodwin, Eleazer, 27. 
Goodwin, Hannah, 27, 28. 
Goodwin, Lois, 35. 
Goodwin, Dea. Nathaniel, 20, 59. 
Goodwin, Nathaniel, 106. 
Goodwin, Ensign Nathaniel, 129. 
Goodwin, Ozias, 64. 
Goodwin, Rachel, 18. 
Goodwin, Widow, 80. 
Goodwin, William, 38. 
Goshen, singing troubles, 92. 
Gorton, Elder Stephen, 17. 
Gould, Rev. Ebenezer, 68. 
Goss, Rev. Mr., 29. 
Graham, Abigail, 61. 



INDEX 



H^> 



Graham, 'Henjamin, 127. 
Graham, Hannah, 96. 
Graham, Rev. John, 98. 
Graham, Samuel, 52, 96, 127. 
Graham, Simeon, 52. 
Green, Samuel, 87. 
Griswold, Moses, 52. 
Grisvvould, Mary, 76. 
(jross, Jonah, 87. 
Gross, Susannah, 62, 64, 67. 
Guyse, Rev. John, 19, 20. 

Hall, Rev. David, 8, 114. 

Hall, Rev. Samuel, 130. 

Halladay, Samuel, 31. 

Ham, Mary, 122. 

Hancock, Mr., 104. 

Hamlin, Mrs., 53. 

Hart, Capt. Josiah, 35. / 

Hart, T.ieut., 35. 

Hart, Rev. William, Sr. 

Hartland, Proprietors of, 110. 

Harwinton, Ordination at, 30. 

ITeaton, Rev. Stephen, 120. 

Hind, J. B., 109. 

Hinsdel, Widow, 29. 

Hoadly, Bishop Benjamin, 109. 

Hobart, Rev. Noah, notice of, 31; 39, 

41, 54, 85. 
Holden, Gov. Samuel, 114. 
Holtuni, Joseph, 30. 
Hooker, Eunice (Talcott), 17, 27, 43, 89. 
Hooker, Capt. Nathaniel, 17, 21, 28, 31, 

32, 43, 86, 121. 
Hooker, Nathaniel, Jr., 17. 
Hooker, Rev. Samuel, 17, 20. 
Hooker, Rev. Thomas, 12, 17, 19; his 

Church Record book, 20; 69, loi. 
Hooper, Rev. William, 23. 
Hopkins, Abigail, 12, 126. 
Hopkins, Anna, 30. 
Hopkins, Jonathan, 30. 
Hopkins, Mr., 82, 93. 
Hopkins, Sarah, 21,44. 
Hopkins, Stephen, 64. 
Hopkins, Thomas, 12, 126. 
Hopkins, Widow, 125. 
Horton, Rev. Azariah, 42. 



Hosmer, Rev. Stephen, notice of , 8, 29, 

35, 36. 
Hosmer, Stephen, 8, 26. 
Hosmer, Susannah, 26. 
Howard, Samuel, 11. 
Howe, Rev. John, 22. 
Howell, Matthew, 24. 
Hubbard, Agnes, 20. 
Hubbard, Jno. , 20. 
Hudson, Thomas, 123. 
Hull, Dr. Benjamin, 31. 
Humphreys, Agnes, 105. 
Humphreys, Anne, 64. 
Humphreys, Diostheus, C2, 79, 112, 134. 
Humphreys, Elizabeth, 112. 
Humphreys, James, 134. 
Humphreys, Nathaniel, 79. 
Hunn, Rev. Nathaniel, notice of, 21; 23, 

25, 44, 69, 76, 99, 108, 119, 123. 
Huntington, Hezekiahj 50, 99. 
Huntting, Rev. Jonathan, 97. 
Indian Alarms, 113, 127, 12S, 130. 
Indian Mission at Housatonic, 33. 
Indian Scalps, 130, 131. 
Indians, Eastern, 10. 
Indians, Mohegan, claims, if), 17, 24, 25. 
Intemperance, 40, 96. 
Itinerant preachers, 65, 70, 72, 82; law 

against, 83; Association resolves, 85; 

89, 113, rrS. 

Jack, a negro, executed, 106. 
Jail, The, 89. 
Jones, John, 31. 
Jones, Julius, 127. 
Jones, Levi, 85; 127. 
Jones, Samuel, 11 1. 
Jones, Sarah, 70. 
Judson, Rev. David, 99. 

Kate, a negro, sentenced, 104; executed, 

106. 
Keith, Marianne, Si. 
Keith, Susannah, 46. 
Keith, William, 32, 42, 46, 81, 124. 
Kellogg, Jacob, 78. 
Kelsey, Widow, 34. 
Kent, Rev. Elisha, 65. 
King, Parmenas, 62. 
King, Sarah, 122. 



144 



INDEX 



King, Thomas, 117. 
Knowles, Cornelius, 36. 
Knowles, John, 36, 45. 
Knowles, Mary, 36. 
Konkapot, Capt. , 64. 

Lamb, Rev. Joseph, 62. 

Lathrop, Dr. Daniel, 118. 

Law, against Itinerants, 83, 84. 

Law, Gov. Jonathan, 8, 82, 97. 

Lawrence, John, 94. 

Lawrence, Marianne, 32. 

Leavenworth, Rev. Mark, 36. 

Lee, James, 74. 

Lee, Sir William, 15. 

Lewis, Elisha, 35, 41, 48, 49, 81, 92, 114, 

115, 117, 124. 
Lewis, Rev. Judah, 37. 
Lewiss, Edmund, 8, 38. 
Litchfield, Church troubles, 112. 
Little, Rev. Ephraim, 89. 
Lockwood, Rev. James, notice of, 35; 

40, 53, 62, 78, 79. 
Logan, James, 78, 106. 
Long Buckby, 27, 57, 58. 
Lord, Rev. Benjamin, 78, 119. 
Lord, Epaphras, Jr., 38. 
Lord, John, 108. 
Lord, John Haynes, 28. 
Lord, Richard, 57. 
Lord, Sarah, 108. 
Loree, Elizabeth, 98. 
Loree, Thomas, 98. 
Lothrop, Lieut. -Col. Simon, 121. 
Louisburgh, 125, 130. 
Love, Rev. Christopher, 109. 
Lynde, Samuel, 8. 

Magazine, The American, 107. 

Magazine, The Gentleman's, 15. 

Marsh, Rev. Cyrus, 93, 98, 118, I20. 

Marsh, Hezekiah, 107, 116. 

Marsh, Job, 92. 

Marsh, Jerusha, 116. 

Marsh, Capt. John, 37, 49, 63, 75, 91, 

93, 98, 104, III, 117. 
Marsh, Rev. Jonathan, Sr. , notice of, g; 

21, 25, 27, 29, 30, 38; Son ordained, 

45; 46, 48, 58; 67, 76, 82, 90, 91, 92, 

106, 119, 128. 



Marsh, Rev. Jonathan, Jr., 28, 44, 120. 

Marsh, Nathaniel, Jr. , 34. 

Marshall, Patience, 64, 67. 

Marshall, Samuel, 16, 118. 

Marshall, Sarah, 16. 

Marvin, Mehitable, 32. 

Mason, John, 16. 

Mason, Widow, 117. 

Mather, Rev. Cotton, 19, 74,. 75. 

Mather, Rev. Samuel, 80. 

Mayhew, Rev. Jonathan, 56. 

McClenachan, Rev. Mr., 129. 

McLean, Allan, 14, 75, 76, 94. 

McLean, John, 108. 

McLean, Dr. Neil, 14, 76, 108, 128. 

McLean, Neil, Jr., 128. 

McLean, Susannah, 94. 

McKinstry, Rev. John, 93, 120. 

Meacham, Rev. Joseph, 63. 

Meeting House (of 1638) taken down, 
11; old weather-cock, 12. 

Meeting House (of 1739) begun, 11; 
raising, 13, 14; spire raised, 28; shells 
for lime, 30; bell hung, 31; dedicated, 

45- 
Merrill, Deacon, 32. 
Merrill, Esther, 73. 
Merrill, Gideon, 51. 
Merrick, Rev. Jonathan, 105. 
Merrick, Rev. Noah, 88. 
Messenger, Daniel, 30. 
Middletown, ordination at, 29. 
Mills, Rev. Gideon, 114; notice of, 116; 

119, 134- 
Mills, Rev. Jedidiah, 65, 72. 
Ministry, in "Contempt," 55. 
Mix, Rev. Stephen, 28, 29, 35. 
Moody, Rev. Joseph, 26. 
Moody, Rev. Samuel, 26. 
Moravians, 83. 
Morison, Rev. Evander, notice of, 41; 

42, 43, 46, 47, 50, 52, 57, 60, 66, 70, 

88, III. 
Morison, Jennet, 52. 
Morison, Marion, 22. 
Morison, Dr. Normand, notice of, 10; 

14, 16, 20, 22, 41, 125, 133. 
Morison, Roderick, 107. 
Morris, Colonel, 47. 



I 



INDEX 



145 



Munson, Amos, 89, 91. 

Negroes, Lecture to, 80, 86, 92, 93, 94. 
Newberry, Capt. Roger, 53, 60, 69. 
"New Church," popular name for 

Second, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 2g, 

31, 46, et scq. 
Newell, Rev. Samuel, 60, 80, 118, 127. 
New-IIartford, ordination, 44, 45. 
News-Letter, Newspaper, 16. 
Newton, Sir Isaac, 114. 
Newton, Maj. Israel, 121, 124. 
Newton, Roger, 8, 83. 
Nichols, James, r8. 
Nichols, William, 34. 
Nicholson, Hannah, 14. 
Nicholson, Henry, 14, 34, 40. 
Nickols, Abigail, 122. 
Nickols, Capt. Cyprian, 46, 52. 
Nickols, Cyprian, 76, 125. 
Nickols, George, 76. 
Nickols, Mary, 52, 79, 98. 
Nickols, Sarah, 48, 108. 
Nickols, William, 79, 98, 122. 
North, Josiah, 17. 
Nott, Rev. Abraham, 24, 52, 78, 8r, 83, 

124. 
Noyes, Rev. Joseph, 27. 

Olcot, Hannah, 112. 
Olcot, Jonathan, 112. 
Olcot, Joseph, no. 
Olcot, Nathaniel, no. 
Owen, Rev. John, 100. 

Palmer, Cotton, 13, 25, 33. 
Parsons, Rev. Jonathan, 52. 
Payne, Rev. Seth, 51. 
Peck, Eleazer, 122. 
Peck, Samuel, 31, 35. 
Pemberton, Rev. Ebenezer, gi. 
Pepperell, Sir William, 126. 
Perkins, Rev. Nathan, 90. 
Phelps, Noadiah, 134. 
Phelps, Timothy, Jr., 76. 
Phelps, Widow, 59. 
Pichering's letters, 92. 
Pierce, Rev. James, 36. 
Pierce, Timothy, 8, 25, 
19 



Pierpont, Abigail, 27. 

Pierpont, Mary, 27. 

Pitcher, Muster-Master, 53. 

Pitkin, James, 33. 

I'itkin, Capt. Joseph, 63, 81. 

Pitkin, Ozias, 8, 25, 33, 71, 97. 

I'itkin, Capt. Thomas, 75. 

Pitkin, William, 8, 97. 

Pomp, tried, 121. 

Pomroy, Rev. Benjamin, 61, 83, 84. 

Poquonock, ordination, 58. 

Porto Bello, 48. 

Potwin, John, 9. 

Potwin, Nathaniel, 9. 

Pratt, Elisha, 27, 28, 53, 99, 130. 

Pratt, Elisha, Jr., 130. 

Pratt, Elizabeth, 132. 

Pratt, John, 12. 

Pratt, John, Jr., 9. 

Pratt, Joseph, 84. 

Pratt, Levi, 99. 

Pratt, Mary, 72. 

Pratt, Rev. Peter, 47. 

Pratt, Rebecca, 53, 92. 

Pratt, William, 84. 

Preparatory Lecture, 134. 

" Presbyterians," Contribution for, 39. 

Preston, Rev. John, 18. 

Pricilla, Negro, no, in. 

Prisoners in Jail, visited, 89, 102, 103, 

104, 105, 106. 
Prout, Mr., 43. 
Punderson, Rev. Ebenezer, 41. 
Punderson, Thomas, 41. 
Pynchon, George, 49. 

Quincy, Edmund, 16, 23. 

Raymond, Joshua, 24. 

Reed, William, 45. 

Reynolds, Rev. Peter, 123. 

Richards, Abigail, 34. 

Richards, Amy, 68. 

Richards, Benjamin, 31, 34, 35, 48, 85. 

Richards, Benjamin, Jr., 34, 48. 

Richards, Jedidiah, no. 

Richards, Jemima, 31. 

Richards, Jonathan, 35, 85. 

Richards, Mary, 44. 



146 



INDEX 



Richards, Ruth, no. 
Richards, Deacon Thomas, 20. 
Richardson, Jonathan, 91. 
Ripley, Hezekiah, 135. 
Ripenear, John, 40. 
Robbins, Rev. Philemon, 76. 
Robie, Rev. James, 80. 
Rockwell, Rev. Matthew, 13. 
Rogers, Rev. Mr., 81. 
Root, Lieut. Timothy, 124. 
Rowland, Rev. David S., 131. 
Ruggles, Rev. Thomas, 97. 
Russell, Rev. Daniel, 35, 40, 45. 
Russell, Dr. G. W., 10, 31, 40. 
Russell, Mehitable, 6. 
Russell, Rev. Noadiah, 25, 35. 
Russell, Rev. William, 25, 27, 2g, 35, 

60. 
Rutherford, Rev. Samuel, 82, 107. 

Salmon brook. Society troubles, 86. 

Saltonstall, Rosewell, 30. 

Sandford, Ezekiel, 30. 

Sandford, Mary, 9. 

Saybrook Platform, 39, 76, 131. 

Scalps, reward for, 130, 131. 

School House Meetings, 86, 90, 93, 94, 
95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, loi, 102, et 
seq. 

Separate Meetings, laws against, 87; im- 
prisonment for holding, 89; discipline 
for attending, no, in, 113. 

Sergeant, Rev. John, 33, 42, 64, 79. 

Sewall, Rev. Joseph, 91. 

Seymour, Daniel, 31. 

Seymour, Moses, 34. 

Seymour, Richard, 60, in. 

Seymour, Capt. Thomas, 53, 54. 

Seymour, Thomas, 84. 

Sheldon, Deacon, 125, 132. 

Sheldon, Elizabeth, 129. 

Sheldon, John, 129. 

Shepard, Abagail, 135. 

Shepard, Eunice, 115. 

Shepard, Huldah, 133. 

Shepard, James, 108, no, in, 127, 131. 

Shepard, James, Jr., 131. 

Shepard, John, 115, 133. 

Shepard, Joseph, 126. 



Shepard, Joseph, Jr., 135. 

Shepard, Levi, 108. 

Shepard, Rachel, in. 

Shepard, Timothy, 126. 

Shepard, Timothy, Jr., 126. 

Shepherd, Aaron, 35. 

Shepherd, Amos, 30. 

Shepherd, Bethia, 97. 

Shepherd, Hannah, 62. 

Shepherd, James, 44, 76. 

Shepherd, John, 19, 26, 27, 35, 57, 60. 

Shepherd, John, Jr., 19. 

Shepherd, Joseph, 27. 

Shepherd, Joseph, Jr., 79, 89. 

Shepherd, Lucy, 76. 

Shepherd, Moses, 89. 

Shepherd, Samuel, 97. 

Shepherd, Sarah, 62. 

Shepherd, Rev. Thomas, 69. 

Sherwin, John, 65. 

" Sir," meaning of title, 42. 

Skinner, Daniel, 92, 102, 125. 

Skinner, Danl., Jr., 125. 

Skinner, Dorothy, 62, 66. 

Skinner, Elizabeth, 90. 

Skinner, Hannah, 62. 

Skinner, Jerusha, 102. 

Skinner, John, 90, 106, 125. 

Skinner, Jonathan, 131. 

Skinner, Joseph, 61. 

Skinner, Joseph, Jr., 22. 

Skinner, Mary, 135. 

Skinner, Nathaniel, 125. 

Sloan, Mr., 35, 36, 48, 51. 

Smith, Elizabeth, 79. 

Smith, Ephraim, 33. 

Smith, Rev. Josiah, 55. 

Smith, Mr., 104. 

Smith, Nehemiah, 79. 

Snake in the Grass, The, 88. 

Southington Church difificulties, 96, 108. 

Southington Presbyterians, 39. 

Spain, hostilities with, 31, 41, 46, 49, 67. 

Spencer, Caleb, 53, 76, 124. 

Spencer, Daniel, 54, 108, 127. 

Spencer, Elizabeth, 122. 

Spencer, Isabel, 58. 

Spencer, Jerusha, 54. 

Spencer, John, 31. 



INDEX 



147 



Spencer, John, Jr., 122, 125. 

Spencer, Martha, 123. 

Spencer, Obadiah, Sr. , 71. 

Spencer, Obadiah, 108. 

Spencer, Ruth, 95, 127. 

Spencer, Sarah, 18, 82. 

Spencer, Susannah, 74. 

Spencer, Timothy, 53, 76, 124. 

Spots in the Sun, 38. 

Spotswood, Col., 49, 52. 

Spy, The Turkish, 33. 

Stafford church difficulties, 15, 47, 48, 

51; ordination of Mr. Colton, 117. 
Stanley, Abigail, 54. 
Stanley, Colonel, 90, 1 13, 1 14. 
Stanley, Nathaniel, 8, 17, 25, 54. 
Steel, Daniel, 34. 
Steel, Roswell, 34. 
Steel, Stephen, 104. 
Steel, Rev. Stephen, 14, 25, 48, 75, 81, 

97, 99, 105, no, 113, 120. 
Steel, Widow, 54. 
Stiles, Rev. Isaac, 83; Election Sermon, 

97- 
Stillman, Ebenezer, 38. 
Stoddard, Rev, Solomon, 15. 
Strong, Rev. Nathan, 39. 
Strong, Return, 108. 
Sun spots, 38. 
Swett, Benjamin, 18. 
Swett, Elizabeth, 18. 
Swift, Rowland, 31. 
Sylvester, Field, 51. 
Synod, The last Connecticut, 75, 76. 

Talcott, Abigail, 6. 

Talcott, Daniel, 116. 

Talcott, Elizabeth, 61, 78, 134. 

Talcott, Eunice, 17, 43. 

Talcott, Madam Eunice, 6, 24, 25, 26, 

43. 
Talcott, Helena, 22. 
Talcott, Jerusha, 14, 17, 118. 
Talcott, James, 125, 127. 
Talcott, Capt. John, 116. 
Talcott, Gov. Joseph, 6, 8, 14, 15; 

death of wife, 24, 25; 28, 37, 43; died 

73. 74- 
Talcott, Joseph, Jr., 16, 38, 122, 129. 



Talcott, Joseph, 3"*, 16. 

Talcott, Matthew, 26, 38, 45, 52. 

Talcott, Nathan, 28, 29. 

Talcott, Samuel, 37, 47, 61, 78, 107, 

125, 127, 133, 134. 
Talcott, Samuel, Jr., 47. 
Talcott, William, 107. 
Taylor, Rev. John, of England, 109. 
Taylor, Rev. John, of Milton, 132. 
Tennent, Rev. Gilbert, 78, 87, 92. 
Testimony against revivalistic errors, 70, 

85, 120. 
Testimony against Whitefield, 120. 
Thanksgiving Days, 16, 32, 44, 57, 75, 

93, 106, iiS, 125, 127, 135. 
Throat Distemper, 31, 40, 41. 
Tillcy, John, 6g. 
Townshend, Mr., 116. 
Tracy, Joseph, 24. 
Trumble, Jonathan, 50. 
Trumbull, Dr. J. H., 37. 
Tudor, Rev. Samuel, 58. 
Turner, Abigail, 82, 131. 
Turner, a big child, 24. 
Turner, John, 82. 
Turner, John, Jr., 46. 
Turner, Mary, 46. 
Turner, Rachel, 115. 
Turner, Stephen, 97, 99, 115, 131. 
Turner, Susannah, 99. 
Tyley, Sarah, 131. 
Tyley, William, 131. 

Umpacheene, Lieutenant, 64. 

Vernon, Admiral, 48, 60, 62, 65. 
Vote, of minors and negroes, 100. 

Wadsworth, Abigail, wife of Rev. Daniel, 

6. 
Wadsworth, Abigail, daughter of Rev. 

Daniel, 6, 59, 95. 
Wadsworth, Abigail, 78. 
Wadsworth, Ann, of Long buckby, 37. 
Wadsworth, Rev. Benjamin, 10. 
Wadsworth, Betty, 22. 
Wadsworth, Rev. Daniel. Sketch of, 4-6; 

begins his Diary, 7 ; on Arbitration 

between Farmington and Wethersfield, 



T48 



INDEX 



1 1 ; preached last time in old meeting 
house, ii; his timidity, 19; his list of 
books to be purchased, 20; dread of 
fire, 21, 22, 23; death of his mother 
Taleott, 24, 25, 26 ; purchased the 
Catlin property, 32; reckoned number 
of baptisms, 32; visit to Southold, 42, 
43; at New Hartford ordination, 45; 
Dedication Sermon, 45 ; reading 
Whitefield's life, 58; his journal, 63 ; 
Alarmed by dissensions in his parish, 
64, 74, 77, 82, 87, 89, 93, 94, 96, 97, 
no; birth of son, Daniel, 67; preaches 
on religious zeal, 69; opinion of the 
revivals, 72; birth of son, Jeremiah, 
loi ; subscribes for Chauncey's book, 
104; signs testimony against White- 
field, 120 ; birth of daughter Ruth, 
132; makes his will, 134; taken ill, 
135; died, 137. 

Wadsworth, Daniel, Jr., 6, 67. 

Wadsworth, Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. 
Daniel, 6, 26, 52. 

Wadsworth, Elizabeth, 60. 

Wadsworth, Eunice, 6, 12, 53. 

Wadsworth, Rev. Field Sylvester, 51. 

Wadsworth, Hezekiah, 34, 53, 54, 55. 

Wadsworth, Ichabod, 36. 

Wadsworth, James, 8, 15, 22, 23, 46, 
52, 56, 58, 77, 92, 93, 97, 106, 
no, 117, 126. 

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 6, loi. 

Wadsworth, Jerusha, 25. 

Wadsworth, John, 48. 

Wadsworth, John, of Northampton, 
Eng., 37. 

Wadsworth, Jonathan, 40. 

Wadsworth, Joseph, 128. 

Wadsworth, Joseph, Jr., no, in, 128, 
130. 

Wadsworth, Joseph, 3"*, 130, 

Wadsworth, Mary, 18, 36. 

Wadsworth, Ruth, daughter of Rev. 
Daniel, 6, 132. 

Wadsworth, Ruth, sister of Rev. Daniel, 
17, 48, ns. 

Wadsworth, Samuel, 126. 

Wadsworth, Thomas, 9, 17, 32, 36, 53, 
58, 75, 88. 



Wadsworth, Thomas, 130. 

Wadsworth, Thomas of Long buckby, 
37, 57, 58, 135- 

Wadsworth, Timothy, 128. 

Wadsworth, Widow, 43. 

Wadsworth, William, 5, 49, no. 

Wakeman, Rev. Jabez, 6, 24. 

Walpole, Sir Robert, 82. 

Ward, Lieutenant, 70. 

Ward, Rev. Nathaniel, 18. 

Warren, Admiral Peter, 126. 

W^aters, Mrs., 95. 

Watts, Dr. Isaac, 79; his psalms, 92. 

Webb, Orange, died, 30. 

Webster, David, 114, 117. 

Webster, Rev. Elisha, 42, 50, 99, 120. 

Webster, Robert, 115. 

Webster, Widow, 134. 

Welles, Ebenezer, 18. 

Welles, Hannah, 100. 

Welles, Mary, 78. 

Welles, Rev. Noah, 105, 113, 118, 124, 

126. 
Welles, Samuel, 82. 
Welles, Thomas, 78. 
Welles, Thomas, Jr., 43, 100. 
Welles, Timothy, 43. 
Welsted, Mr., 43, 45. 
Wesley, Rev. John, 109. 
West Hartford, Church troubles, 90. 
West Indies, Expedition, 53. 
Wethersfield and Farmington Arbitra- 
tion, n. 
Wethersfield ordination, 35. 
Wheelock, Rev. Eleazer, 63, 72, 90. 
White, Rev. Silvanus, 28. 
White, Rev. Thomas, notice of, 13; 14, 
44, 48, 51, 53, 68, 88, 95, 97, 99, 103, 
in, 119, 120. 
Whitefield, Rev. George, 46, 50, 52; in 
Hartford, 55; preached, 56; 57, 87, 
120, 131. 
Whiting, Anna, 54. 
Whiting, Jerusha, 92. 
Whiting, Rev. John, 54. 
Whiting, John, 104. 
Whiting, Joseph, S, 25, 130. 
Whitman, Rev. Elnathan, of Hartford, 
5, notice of, 9; 13, 23, 25, 26; at Har- 



INDEX 



149 



winton ordination, 30; 32, 34, 35,38,40; 
at New Hartford ordination, 44; 45, 
49, 53; married, 54; 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 
63, 67, 68, 71, 72, 74, 78, 81, 86, 92, 
94, 96, 98, 99, 100, loi, 103; sub- 
scribes for Chauncey's book, 104; 107, 
no, III, 112, 114, 115, 116, 119, 120, 
122, 124, 125, 128, 130, 131, 132, 
135, 136. 137- 

Whitman, Rev. .Samuel, of Farmington, 
5, notice of, 14; possession of Hart- 
ford, Church Record, 20; 21, 25, at 
Harwyiton ordination, 30 ; at New 
Hartford ordination, 45; 55, 60, 68; 
69, 70, 71; on Gov. Talcott, 74; 75, 
76, 104, 116, 120. 

Whittlesey, Rev. Chauncey, 29, 86. 

Whittlesey, Rev. Samuel, H2, 120. 

Wicar, Goody, 12. 

Wilks, Francis, 37. 

Williams, Rev. Elisha, 29, 42. 

Williams, Rev. Mr., 133, 136. 

Williams, Mr., 48. 

Williams, Samuel, 29. 

Williams, Rev. Solomon, 65, 90. 

Williamson, Anne, 8r, 92, 93, 102, 136. 

Williamson, Caleb, 17, 33. 

Williamson, Ebenezer, 79, 80, 136. 

Windsor, Church troubles, 37, 39, 50. 

Wintonbery, ordination at, 20. 

Wobbin, Indian, 18. 

Wobbin, Margaret, 18. 

Wolcott, Roger, Lieut. -Gov. , 8, 24, no- 
tice of , 83; 113, 121, 124, 125. 

Wood, sledding for Mr. Wadsworth, 20, 
46, 59- 



Woodbridge, Madam Abigail, 11, 12, 
32, 61, 104. 

Woodbridge, Rev. Ashbel, 25, 35, 69, 
132. 

Woodbridge, Rev. John, 16, 17, 53, 58. • 

Woodbridge, Rev. Samuel of East Hart- 
ford, 6, notice of, 14; 27, 33, 4O, 51, 
61, 67, 69, 70, 71, So, 82; difficulties 
in his parish, 85, 86; 87, 89, 91, 92, 
94; scandalous letter to, 97; 99, loi, 
102, 103, 105, 109, 112, 115, 118, 119. 
120, 122, 125, 128; death, 132. 

Woodbridge, Theodore, 69. 

Woodbridge, Rev. Timothy of Hartford, 
5, II, 15, 18, 44. 

Woodbridge, Rev. Timothy of Hatfield, 

53, 93- 

Woodbridge, Rev. Timothy of Sims- 
bury, 48, 90. 

Woodbridge, Mr., 76. 

Woodbridge, Rev. Mr., 124. 

Worthington, Rev. William, 71, 78, 81, 
112. 

Wyllys, Capt. George, 34, 46, 115. 

Wyllys, George, 80. 

Wyllys, Capt. Hezekiah, 77. 

Wyllys, Mary, 80. 

Wyllys, Mehitable, 37. 

Wyllys, Samuel, 34. 

Wyllys, William, 115. 

Yale College, new charter, 123. 
Youngs, Hannah, 36. 
Youngs, Joseph, 33. 
Youngs, Seth, 32, 33, 90. 

Zinzendorf, Count, 78. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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